Plaintiffs brought this action for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty after defendants ceased negotiations with plaintiffs regarding a joint venture. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss for improper venue under Rule 12(b)(3) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. In a Report and Recommendation dated May 18, 2007, United States Magistrate Judge Franklin L. Noel recommended that the Court deny defendants’ motion to dismiss. Defendants timely objected to the Report and Recommendation. This Court has conducted a de novo review of the objections under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(C) and D. Minn. LR 72.2(b). For the reasons set forth below, the Court adopts the Report and Recommendation and denies defendants’ motion.
BACKGROUND
Plaintiffs Transocean Group Holdings and Transocean Biofuels (collectively “Transocean”) are Australian companies with their primary place of business in Sydney, Australia. Defendant South Dakota Soybean Processors (“SDSP”), a South Dakota company, operates a soybean processing plant in Volga, South Dakota. At one time, SDSP provided management services to Minnesota Soybean Processors (“MnSP”) at MnSP’s biodiesel production facility in Brewster, Minnesota. Defendant Rodney Christianson (“Chris-tianson”) is the Chief Executive Officer of SDSP and is a resident of South Dakota. Defendant Daniel Feige (“Feige”) is a member of the SDSP Board of Managers and is also a resident of South Dakota.
SDSP and Transocean entered into negotiations to form High Plains Biofuels (“High Plains”), an entity created for the construction and operation of a biodiesel production plant in Volga, South Dakota. High Plains was incorporated on April 26, 2006 in Delaware. The Board of Directors for High Plains included defendant Chris-tianson, Thomas Kerting from SDSP, and James Henderson and Paul Wessel from Transocean. The Board was later expanded to include defendant Feige. On April 28, 2006, SDSP and Transocean formed an agreement entitled “Heads of Agreement” (the “Agreement”) that described the corporations’ respective responsibilities to High Plains, and that forms the basis for the present action.
After the Agreement was executed, the High Plains Board of Directors held a series of meetings to plan for an initial public offering of the corporation. Many of these meetings took place in Minnesota. On July 14{ 2006, the Board met in New Ulm, Minnesota to discuss budget concerns and business strategies. On July 26, 2006, the Board met in Minneapolis to discuss the possibility of High Plains making an offer to purchase the MnSP biodies-el facility in Brewster, Minnesota. And on September 24, 2006, the Board held a *575 meeting in Minneapolis, during which they discussed SDSP’s concerns with the Agreement.
In August 2006, MnSP informed SDSP that it intended to terminate its management contract for the Brewster, Minnesota facility. In response, SDSP attempted to acquire the facility. On September 14, 2006, Feige presented SDSP’s bid during a special meeting of MnSP shareholders in Windom, Minnesota. At that meeting, Feige represented to MnSP shareholders that the Agreement between SDSP and Transocean was a non-binding letter of intent, and not a valid contract. SDSP’s bid was ultimately rejected.
On November 9 and 10, 2006, Christian-son met with Henderson in Minneapolis for a two-day meeting. Christianson voiced his concerns with the Agreement and with the amount of control SDSP was given over High Plains. Plaintiffs allege that Henderson was receptive to Chris-tianson’s concerns, but that both parties agreed that if they could not reach a resolution, the terms of the original Agreement would remain in effect.
On December 19, 2006, SDSP’s Board of Directors met and decided to cease negotiations with Transocean. A short time later, Transocean brought this action against defendants, alleging that SDSP breached the Agreement and that Christianson and Feige breached their fiduciary duty to High Plains. Defendants filed this Rule 12(b)(3) motion to dismiss based on improper venue. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(3). The Magistrate Judge recommended that this Court deny defendants’ motion, and these objections followed.
ANALYSIS
I. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Rule 12(b)(3) provides that a party may move to dismiss an action when the action is not filed in the proper venue. Fed. R.Civ.P. 12(b)(3). When reviewing a motion under Rule 12(b)(3), the Court applies the same standard used for other motions to dismiss.
Twin Lakes Sales, LLC v. Hunter’s Specialties, Inc.,
II. VENUE UNDER 28 U.S.C. § 1391(a)(2)
Under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(a)(2), venue is proper ip “a judicial district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred.” Plaintiffs need not show that Minnesota is the “best” venue,
Setco Enters. Corp. v. Robbins,
.
The Court finds that plaintiffs have alleged sufficient conduct in Minnesota to withstand defendants’ Rule 12(b)(3) motion. In support of their breach of fiduciary duty claim, plaintiffs allege that on September 14, 2006, in Windom, Minnesota, Feige told- MnSP shareholders that the Agreement was merely a non-binding letter of intent. Plaintiffs further allege that Christianson tried to re-negotiate the *576 Agreement on September 24, 2006 and on November 9 and 10, 2006, in Minnesota. Plaintiffs argue that these actions demonstrate that Christianson and Feige did not act in the best interests of High Plains.
With respect to their breach of contract claim, plaintiffs allege that defendants recognized the Agreement as a formal contract during two meetings in July 2006 that took place in Minnesota. Plaintiffs contend that the parties discussed the Agreement, budget and payment processes, and the construction of the High Plains plant during these meetings. Plaintiffs also point to Feige’s statement on September 14, 2006 that the Agreement was not a binding contract, and to Christianson’s attempts to re-negotiate the High Plains deal in September and November, as evidence of their intent to breach the contract. Again, the relevant conduct alleged by plaintiffs occurred in Minnesota. Defendants argue that, under
Woodke,
plaintiffs cannot establish venue under § 1391(a)(2) merely by labeling as wrongful otherwise innocent conduct. According to defendants, none of the conduct during the July 2006 meetings can be characterized as wrongful. In
Woodke,
however, the Eighth Circuit addressed venue in the context of a Lanham Act claim, finding that the district in which defendant had manufactured the disputed products was not legally relevant to plaintiffs passing off claim for purposes of venue.
Woodke,
For these reasons, the Court finds that plaintiffs have alleged sufficient conduct in Minnesota to establish venue pursuant to § 1391(a)(2). The allegations are sufficient for venue even if they are ultimately determined to be insufficient as proof of plaintiffs’ underlying claims. The Court therefore denies defendants’ Rule 12(b)(3) motion to dismiss for improper venue.
ORDER
Based on the foregoing records, files, and proceedings herein, the Court OVERRULES defendants’ objections [Docket No. 25] and ADOPTS the Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation dated May 18, 2007 [Docket No. 22], IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that defendants’ motion to dismiss and objection to venue [Docket No. 7] is DENIED.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
THIS MATTER came before the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge on April 12, 2007, on Defendants’ Objection to Venue and Motion to Dismiss [# 7]. The matter was referred to the undersigned for Report and Recommendation pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636 and Local Rule 72.1. For the reasons which follow, this Court recommends Defendants’ motion be denied.
I. FINDINGS OF FACT
Plaintiffs Transocean Group Holdings (“Transocean Holdings”) and Transocean Global Biofuels (“Transocean Biofuels”) are both Australian Companies with their principal place of business in Syndey, Australia. (Comply 1.) Transocean Biofuels is an affiliate of Transocean Holdings. (ComplJ 1.)
*577 Defendant South Dakota Soybean Processors (“SDSP”) is a South Dakota company that operates a soybean processing plant in Volga, South Dakota, and provided management services for Minnesota Soybean Processors (“MnSP”) at their biodies-el production facility in Brewster, Minnesota. (ComplJ 3.) Defendant Rodney Christianson, a South Dakota resident, is the Chief Executive Officer of SDSP. (Comply 4.) Defendant Daniel Feige, a South Dakota resident, is a member of the SDSP Board of Managers. (ComplV 5.)
On April 26, 2006, High Plains Biofuels (“High Plains”) was incorporated in Delaware. (ComplV 8.) High Plains was formed for the purpose of constructing-and operating a biodiesel production plant in Volga, South Dakota. (Comply 2.) The original board of directors for High Plains consisted of James Henderson and Paul Wessel of Transocean Holdings and Chris-tianson and Thomas Kersting of SDSP. (Compl.¶ 8.) Two days after High Plains was incorporated, Transocean Holdings and SDSP executed an agreement, titled “Heads of Agreement”, that laid out both parties obligations in regard to High Plains. 1 (Compl. ¶ 9 and Ex. A.)
After the “Heads of Agreement” was signed, the High Plains Board of Directors held a series of meetings. At a meeting on May 30, 2006, Daniel Feige and Rodney Skalbeck, both of SDSP, were added to the High Plains Board of Directors. (ComplV 18.) At that meeting, discussions took place regarding the construction of the High Plains biodiesel facility. (Comply 18.) Throughout the summer, discussions, planning, and board meetings continued relating to the construction of the High Plains facility. (Wessel Decl. ¶¶ 11-14.)
Also during the summer, MnSP informed SDSP that they were terminating the management services contract for the Brewster facility. (Comply 21.) In response, SDSP made an unsuccessful attempt to acquire the Brewster facility from MnSP. (Compl.lt 21.) On September 14, 2006, during the attempt to acquire the Brewster facility, Feige presented SDSP’s proposal to a special meeting of MnSP’s shareholders in Windom, Minnesota. (Comply 24.) During this presentation, Feige stated that the “Heads of Agreement” was not a binding agreement between Transocean and SDSP. (Comply 24.)
On September 24, 2006, High Plains held a Board Meeting, in Minneapolis, in response to the concerns of SDSP 2 , raised by Christianson, regarding the terms of the “Heads of Agreement”. (Wessel Decl. ¶ 14.) During this meeting, the Board of Directors discussed altering the “Heads of Agreement” in a manner that addressed SDSP’s reservations. (Wessel Decl. 15.) This meeting also included further discussion relating to the construction and operation of the High Plains biodiesel facility. (Wessel Decl. 15.)
On November 9 and 10, 2006, Christian-son and Henderson met in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Wessel Decl. 21.) During this two day meeting, Christianson attempted to renegotiate the “Heads of Agreement” to make the ownership structure more beneficial to SDSP and desig *578 nate SDSP as the general contractor for the project. (Wessel Decl. 21.) During these negotiations, Christianson represented that changes were necessary because SDSP did not want to abide by the current terms of the “Heads of Agreement”. (Wessel Decl. 21.)
Ultimately, on December 19, 2006, SDSP held a Board of Directors meeting in Volga, South Dakota, where it was decided that they would cease negotiations with Transocean entities. (Christianson Decl. ¶ 12, Ex. C.) On January 11, 2007, SDSP, through Henderson, informed Transocean Biofuels that they were formally terminating discussions regarding High Plains. (Christianson Decl., Ex. D.) This letter was sent from SDSP’s facility in Volga, South Dakota. (Christianson Decl., Ex. D.)
II. DISCUSSION
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(a)
“[a] civil action wherein jurisdiction is founded only on diversity of citizenship may, except as otherwise provided by law, be brought only in[:] (1) a judicial district where any defendant resides, if all defendants reside in the same State, (2) a judicial district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred, or a substantial part of property that is the subject of the action is situated, or (3) a judicial district in which any defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction at the time the action is commenced, if there is no district in which the action may otherwise be brought.”
Id. A
corporate defendant is deemed to “reside” pursuant to subdivision (1) in “any judicial district in which it is subject to personal jurisdiction at the time the action is commenced.” 28 U.S.C. § 1391(c);
Guidant Sales Corp. v. Niebur,
No. 01-1772,
Plaintiffs advance arguments based upon both § 1391(a)(1) and § 1391(a)(2). Under Section 1391(a)(2) (venue proper where “substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred”) the Plaintiffs chosen forum need not have the most substantial contacts to the dispute.
See United States Surgical Corp. v. Imagyn Medical Technologies, Inc., et al.,
Plaintiffs have met them burden of alleging wrongful conduct by the Defendants that occurred in Minnesota. Feige’s statement to MnSP shareholders and Christian-son’s attempt to renegotiate at a High Plains Board Meeting on September 24, 2006, and with Henderson on November 9-10, 2006, make up a substantial part of the Plaintiff’s claims of breach of fiduciary duty by Henderson and Feige. Defendants may ultimately be proved correct in asserting that these actions were not a breach of their fiduciary duty, and therefore not wrongful. But it is these events, which occurred in Minnesota, that Plaintiffs allege support their breach of fiduciary duty claims.
Defendants also argue that the only potentially wrongful conduct by SDSP is the decision to cease negotiation with the Transocean entities and the communication of the decision. However, Plaintiffs allege a larger course of conduct to support the allegations of breach of contract and asserts that the discussions held in the fall of 2006 demonstrate the Defendants’ belief that a contract existed and an intent to breach the contract.
This breach of contract case is distinguishable from
Woodke,
in that the claims in
Woodke
focused on specific conduct that would violate the Lanham Act.
See Woodke,
As the Court has concluded that venue here is proper under Section 1391(a)(2), it is not necessary to address Plaintiffs alternative argument that venue is also proper under Section 1391(a)(1).
III. RECOMMENDATION
Based upon all the files, records and proceedings herein, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that Defendants’ Objection to Venue and Motion to Dismiss [# 7] be DENIED.
Notes
. Plaintiffs claim that "Heads of Agreement” is a contract and SDSP has breached the contract. (Compl-¶¶ 32-36.) Plaintiffs also claim that in the process of breaching the contract, Christianson and Feige breached their fiduciary duty to High Plains. (Compl.¶¶ 37-40.) Defendants contend that the "Heads of Agreement” was merely an agreement to agree. (Defs.’ Mem. in Supp. of Mot. 3, fn. 2.)
. SDSP had begun to express concerns over the dilution of its ownership of High Plains. (Wessel Decl. ¶ 14.)