Former Justin Boot factory may be future of 3D-printed tiny homes

By Kyle Troutman ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

A prospective buyer of the former Justin Boot buildings had formulated a plan to make 3D-printed tiny homes in the main facility and a chicken waste refinery in the other, and the latter plan has shifted away from Cassville.

Steve Walensky, Cassville city administrator, said possible buyer Steve Morrison had been working with the city for about the last year-and-a-half to two years.

“His interest in the main plant was to develop 3D-printed small homes, and because all the buildings were a package deal for the boot company, that’s how the poultry waste refinery came about,” Walensky said. “He is still interested in the 3D-printed houses, and he is now trying to figure out what to do with the other building.”

The facility on the west side of County Farm Road was unsuitable for Morrison’s plans, as natural gas capabilities were not what a refinery would require.

“In December, got a phone call from Mr. Morrison saying he elected to relocate the poultry waste business to a location in Fayetteville, Ark.,” Walensky said. “He is looking to find something within the zoning code to use the old Justin facility. During his due diligence, he found the natural gas capabilities from Spire and the expense to install new piping exceeded what he wanted to spend. The location he found in Arkansas had the natural gas capabilities he required. It was described to me as using the byproducts from poultry processing and refining it to biodiesel, which would create a smell and cause concerns [in Cassville].”

Walensky said moving forward with any possible sale and new business at the location, both parties have agreed to send correspondence in writing.

“I told him whatever he wanted to do to put that in a letter to the city, which will allow me to respond with a letter from the city saying he was good to go,” Walensky said.