Officials Halt Indiana Plant Project Over Pakistan Connection

Indiana officials have suspended their support for a proposed fertilizer plant while they investigate a Pakistani company involved in the project.

The Indiana Finance Authority issued $1.3 billion in bonds in December for a nitrogen fertilizer plant Midwest Fertilizer Corp. plans to build at the Port of Mount Vernon in southwestern Indiana's Posey County. Midwest Fertilizer Corp. is part of the Pakistan-based Fatima  Group.

Governor Mike Pence says the Indiana Economic Development Corporation learned Jan. 14 about concerns Fatima Group might not be cooperating with U.S. officials worried that fertilizer made in Pakistan ends up in improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan that have killed American troops.

Pence says the suspension will remain in effect “pending further investigation.”