An effort to come up with enough money to build and operate a soybean crushing plant will begin tonight with a fundraising meeting in Webster.

Officials hope the drive will net between $11 million and $19 million to get the plant going west of Webster.

Local farmers have been working on the project for two years in preparation for today's official launching.

Several other meetings for prospective investors will be held over the next week or so.

The proposed Coteau Hills Processors plant would employ 25 people.

It would produce refined soybean oil for biodiesel conversion, along with soybean meal for livestock feed, and soybean oil for human consumption.