The first new export grain terminal built in the United States in 25 years held a grand opening celebration Monday.
EGT welcomed dignitaries to its $200-million facility to officially acknowledge its opening, although EGT has already exported more than a million tons of grain since the first ship docked there in February.
EGT had a rocky start with local union longshoremen, before the facility ever started moving grain.
Longshoremen argued they had a historical and legal right to work at EGT. After lots of protests, arrests and tension, the two sides reached an agreement for longshoremen to work at EGT.
“When they came to work, they came to work, and they’ve done a nice job since they came to work — so we feel that’s behind us and we look forward to the future in supplying the world with food,” said EGT CEO Larry Clarke.
