Hello Nature – Wabash Agricultural Sustainability Project

Innovating in agriculture and recycling for environmental and community good.

Investment

  • NMTC Amount: $26,000,000
  • Total Project Cost: $31,000,000

IMPACT

  • 130 FTE jobs
  • 120 construction jobs

Investor

Project Description

Hello Nature, a global leader in organic, biostimulant fertilizers, recently established its North American Headquarters and a manufacturing plant in a former GM complex in Anderson, Indiana. Hello Nature was able to leverage the New Market Tax Credit Program to further solidify its foothold in North America with the Wabash Agricultural Sustainability Project.

This project will co-locate a 350,000 sq. ft. organic fertilizer plant with a 50,000 sq. ft. tire deconstruction facility operated by third part partner, Plus5. At these facilities, Hello Nature converts over 175,000 tons of poultry manure annually into an organic, biostimulant-rich fertilizer that reduces E. coli runoff and the need for synthetic chemicals.

Additionally, it recycles scrap tires, reducing landfill waste by 4% and generating valuable materials like carbon, solvent, steel, and gas. The methane gas produced during tire deconstruction will be used to fuel the fertilizer plant’s drying process, enhancing sustainability.

Hello Nature’s significant investment in Indiana represents a commitment to both agricultural innovation and environmental sustainability. The $25 million New Markets Tax Credit financing facilitated the co-location of the fertilizer and recycling operations at the Wabash site, maximizing efficiency by using the byproducts of one process to fuel the other.
The financing for this project supports the dual goals of reducing environmental impact and enhancing agricultural productivity. Hello Nature’s presence in Wabash, alongside Plus5, has had a substantial positive impact on the local economy and environment, aligning with the broader goals of sustainable development in the region.

The project will create approximately 130 full-time jobs. At the time of construction, Hello Nature’s and Plus5’s positions started at $17 and $23.20 per hour respectively, offering quality employment in a county with an MIT Living Wage of $12.84. Over two-thirds of these jobs are expected to be filled by low-income residents.

Environmentally, the project will enhance soil health and crop yields through the use of organic biostimulants, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and improving water quality. Plus5’s innovative tire deconstruction technology will address the significant environmental challenge of scrap tire disposal, repurposing waste into useful materials without emissions. Together, these initiatives demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability and community development.

MAP

Address: US Hwy 24 & Manchester Ave, Wabash, IN 47359

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