Residents got an inside look recently at the massive sugar dome on the outskirts of Montgomery.
Nearly 200 leaders of business and industry turned out to take a tour of the dome that was built earlier this year near Aucutt Road as part of a sugar storage and transfer facility for United Sugars, a marketer of industrial sugar that supplies one-fourth of all sugar consumed in this country, according to company officials.
The facility soon will be home to a pile of sugar that will measure some 134 feet high and 183 feet wide.
Jonus McGee of Dome Technology, which built the dome, explained to each visitor how the facility operates during the open house.
“This dome will be home to 138 million pounds of sugar when it is 85 percent full,” he said.
He said the sugar will be put into the dome after it arrives by rail car. He said the dome itself is heated throughout and a humidifier operates in the top area of the facility. He said a 50-foot screw runs at the bottom of the dome from end to end and will be used to “pull all of the sugar to the center of the dome. On top there is a laser that will actually map the sugar in the dome.”
He said there are three sugar dome facilities in the world, one in South America and one in Europe, as well as the one in Montgomery.
Montgomery Mayor Matt Brolley said it is great that United Sugars decided to build the dome in Montgomery.
“Years ago, during the (economic) downturn, it was rare to see much of any development in our area. I think it really signals to all the other property owners in this area what positive development is happening in Montgomery. It is a good place to live and a good place to work,” he said.
“We are very excited about coming into Montgomery. Being right on the (railroad) here, it is a strategic site for us, and we’re excited about being part of it,” said Matt Wineinger, president of United Sugars. “This is a very strategic location for the upper Midwest.”
Montgomery officials said United Sugars is an ideal company to come into the village.
“This is wonderful and a great addition to the village,” said Rich Young, director of community development for Montgomery. “This is an opportunity for United Sugars to come — and more importantly to them was the rail access — and to service the Chicagoland market.”
Young added that the location is ideal for the company.
“(With) their sugar product for food processors and confectionary companies and beverage manufacturers, it’s a great location for them to be in,” he said.
Neil Schlupp, chairman of the Montgomery Economic Development Corporation, said the dome is a great development for the village.
“It has obviously opened up this area of land that has been undeveloped for some time, and now we have other companies looking to come,” he said.
Judy Pochel is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
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