Magnablend SSC FAQs

Know the Facts – Magnablend's Purchase of the SSC FAQs
January 19, 2012

Q: Why is Magnablend interested in the Superconducting Super Collider Site?

While Magnablend is reviewing multiple sites to relocate our facility, we are most interested in the opportunity to stay within Ellis County, our home for the past 32 years. The Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) site offers us an ideal location to preserve local jobs, make a previously vacant property viable and productive again, and provide Ellis County with additional tax revenue and economic development as we continue to grow our business.

Equally important is the timing. No other existing facility in Ellis County offers as much usable space as quickly as the SSC. The property has multiple buildings onsite that will allow us to segregate raw materials, finished goods and manufacturing processes to ensure the safest possible operation. In addition, with 135 acres, the sheer size of the property will give us a buffer between us and our neighbors that is 10 times larger than any of our other facilities. From a safety perspective, the SSC property has a significant collection pond and a multi-acre retention pond which would enable us to keep any runoff on our own property.

Q: How does Magnablend purchase of the SSC site benefit Ellis County?

With 250 permanent employees locally the SSC site keeps our current jobs in the community and gives us room to absorb the expected growth over the next 5 years.

Q: Where are we in the process?

Magnablend has a contract on the SSC facility with an expected closing date on or before January 31, 2012. We are currently going through the due diligence process to ensure the property is sound and appropriate for our needs.

Q: What other properties being considered?

A variety of sites are being reviewed including Corsicana, Lancaster, and San Antonio.

Q: If the sale goes through, how soon would operations begin?

We would begin maintenance and construction projects right away. Limited production operations would begin in the second quarter of 2012 and full scale operations wouldn't be expected until 2013.

Q: Is this site built for this type of industry?

The SSC site is a general purpose site with no specific zoning. The buildings, roads, utilities, fire suppression, and safety features are all extremely robust and were built to support the heavy equipment and hundreds of people necessary to construct, test, install, and manage the complexities of the world's largest atom smasher. We are evaluating all systems to ensure they will meet or exceed our needs.

Q: What are Magnablend's plans for the site?

The SSC site is a magnificent property which we will be proud to own and manage. We will clean it up, make all the necessary repairs, and landscape the property so it is no longer an eyesore. We take pride in our facilities and plan to make this one a showpiece. We will support the same industries we've supported over the past 32 years and this facility is simply an expansion of our existing facilities. We are not closing and relocating our liquid and powder plants to this campus.

Q: Will Magnablend use the tunnels?

No. The tunnels have already been closed, filled, and are inaccessible. We will continue to keep them closed and unused.

Q: How will waste be disposed?

Magnablend has an environmentally responsible policy of reusing water from its batch processes whenever possible. Any process water that cannot be reused will be disposed of in accordance with TCEQ & EPA standards using certified, third party waste handling companies.

Q: What safety measures will be in place?

Safety is always a top priority and we are continually evaluating our facilities, processes and procedures to ensure compliance with TCEQ, EPA, OSHA, DOT, and DHS regulations. The SSC facility has many safety features already in place including a robust fire suppression system. We are currently evaluating all the safety systems to ensure they will meet or exceed our needs. Any adjustments will be made as necessary.

Q: How will Magnablend ensure they are a good neighbor in this community?

We understand the concerns of residents who live near the proximity of the Super Collider property and have already visited with several of the neighbors and the leaders of the newly formed “Ellis County Concerned Citizens Committee.”We plan to maintain an ongoing relationship with the neighbors and will meet regularly to address their concerns.

Q: How will use of the site change traffic?

We plan to direct trucks to our facility from I-35 using either FM1446 orFM66 via Arrowhead Road. We expect 5-10 inbound trucks and 5-10 outbound trucks per day by the end of the first year.According to TXDOT's 2010 analyses of FM 66 and FM 1446, our trucks will increase traffic on the roadways less than one percent. That said, we still plan to work with the Ellis County roadway officials and TXDOT to encourage flashing signals at Arrowhead Road and FM 66 and FM 1446 and have offeredto assist in funding safety signs, wider turn lanes, deceleration lanes, reflective road paint on Arrowhead Road, etc.

Q: What kind of wear and tear will this put on the roads?

When inquiring with the Ellis County officials about proper testing procedures on county roads, we were given several names of authorized, third party testing companies. Alpha Testing was one of those companies and Magnablend hired them to perform tests on Arrowhead Road, Perimeter Road, and Hoyt Road. The results conclude that the roads should remain in good repair for 3 to 10 years, even if we average 50 trucks per day weighing 80,000 lbs. each. TXDOT maintains the Farm-to-Market roads and Ellis County maintains the county roads. Heavy weight trucks will purchase permits to help fund future repairs.

Q: How will this effect property values?

Magnablend takes pride in our facilities and will greatly improve the visual image of the SSC property and buildings. With our continued growth and expansion we believe our employees will increase the market of individuals interested in purchasing homes and property in the immediate vicinity.

Q: Is there a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) in Ellis County?

A LEPC is a valuable tool for the community to understand potential chemical hazards in the community, develop emergency plans in case of an accidental release, and look for ways to prevent chemical accidents. Ellis County does not currently have a LEPC. Magnablend has reached out to newly appointed Ellis Co. Fire Marshall Joseph Steward and offered our support in establishing an Ellis County LEPC.




	Know the Facts – Magnablend's Purchase of the SSC FAQs January 19, 2012 Q: Why is Magnablend interested in the Superconducting Super Collider Site? While Magnablend is reviewing multiple sites to relocate our facility, we are most interested in the opportunity to stay within Ellis County, our home for the past 32 years. The Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) site offers us an ideal location to preserve local jobs, make a previously vacant property viable and productive again, and provide Ellis County with additional tax revenue and economic development as we continue to grow our business. Equally important is the timing. No other existing facility in Ellis County offers as much usable space as quickly as the SSC. The property has multiple buildings onsite that will allow us to segregate raw materials, finished goods and manufacturing processes to ensure the safest possible operation. In addition, with 135 acres, the sheer size of the property will give us a buffer between us and our neighbors that is 10 times larger than any of our other facilities. From a safety perspective, the SSC property has a significant collection pond and a multi-acre retention pond which would enable us to keep any runoff on our own property. Q: How does Magnablend purchase of the SSC site benefit Ellis County? With 250 permanent employees locally the SSC site keeps our current jobs in the community and gives us room to absorb the expected growth over the next 5 years. Q: Where are we in the process? Magnablend has a contract on the SSC facility with an expected closing date on or before January 31, 2012. We are currently going through the due diligence process to ensure the property is sound and appropriate for our needs. Q: What other properties being considered? A variety of sites are being reviewed including Corsicana, Lancaster, and San Antonio. Q: If the sale goes through, how soon would operations begin? We would begin maintenance and construction projects right away. Limited production operations would begin in the second quarter of 2012 and full scale operations wouldn't be expected until 2013. Q: Is this site built for this type of industry? The SSC site is a general purpose site with no specific zoning. The buildings, roads, utilities, fire suppression, and safety features are all extremely robust and were built to support the heavy equipment and hundreds of people necessary to construct, test, install, and manage the complexities of the world's largest atom smasher. We are evaluating all systems to ensure they will meet or exceed our needs. Q: What are Magnablend's plans for the site? The SSC site is a magnificent property which we will be proud to own and manage. We will clean it up, make all the necessary repairs, and landscape the property so it is no longer an eyesore. We take pride in our facilities and plan to make this one a showpiece. We will support the same industries we've supported over the past 32 years and this facility is simply an expansion of our existing facilities. We are not closing and relocating our liquid and powder plants to this campus. Q: Will Magnablend use the tunnels? No. The tunnels have already been closed, filled, and are inaccessible. We will continue to keep them closed and unused. Q: How will waste be disposed? Magnablend has an environmentally responsible policy of reusing water from its batch processes whenever possible. Any process water that cannot be reused will be disposed of in accordance with TCEQ & EPA standards using certified, third party waste handling companies. Q: What safety measures will be in place? Safety is always a top priority and we are continually evaluating our facilities, processes and procedures to ensure compliance with TCEQ, EPA, OSHA, DOT, and DHS regulations. The SSC facility has many safety features already in place including a robust fire suppression system. We are currently evaluating all the safety systems to ensure they will meet or exceed our needs. Any adjustments will be made as necessary. Q: How will Magnablend ensure they are a good neighbor in this community? We understand the concerns of residents who live near the proximity of the Super Collider property and have already visited with several of the neighbors and the leaders of the newly formed “Ellis County Concerned Citizens Committee.”We plan to maintain an ongoing relationship with the neighbors and will meet regularly to address their concerns. Q: How will use of the site change traffic? We plan to direct trucks to our facility from I-35 using either FM1446 orFM66 via Arrowhead Road. We expect 5-10 inbound trucks and 5-10 outbound trucks per day by the end of the first year.According to TXDOT's 2010 analyses of FM 66 and FM 1446, our trucks will increase traffic on the roadways less than one percent. That said, we still plan to work with the Ellis County roadway officials and TXDOT to encourage flashing signals at Arrowhead Road and FM 66 and FM 1446 and have offeredto assist in funding safety signs, wider turn lanes, deceleration lanes, reflective road paint on Arrowhead Road, etc. Q: What kind of wear and tear will this put on the roads? When inquiring with the Ellis County officials about proper testing procedures on county roads, we were given several names of authorized, third party testing companies. Alpha Testing was one of those companies and Magnablend hired them to perform tests on Arrowhead Road, Perimeter Road, and Hoyt Road. The results conclude that the roads should remain in good repair for 3 to 10 years, even if we average 50 trucks per day weighing 80,000 lbs. each. TXDOT maintains the Farm-to-Market roads and Ellis County maintains the county roads. Heavy weight trucks will purchase permits to help fund future repairs. Q: How will this effect property values? Magnablend takes pride in our facilities and will greatly improve the visual image of the SSC property and buildings. With our continued growth and expansion we believe our employees will increase the market of individuals interested in purchasing homes and property in the immediate vicinity. *Q: Is there a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) in Ellis County?* A LEPC is a valuable tool for the community to understand potential chemical hazards in the community, develop emergency plans in case of an accidental release, and look for ways to prevent chemical accidents. Ellis County does not currently have a LEPC. Magnablend has reached out to newly appointed Ellis Co. Fire Marshall Joseph Steward and offered our support in establishing an Ellis County LEPC.