Officials break ground for ethanol plant
Author: Dave Smith
Publication: Sentinel Online
October 22, 2006
FAIRMONT — Sunshine, smiles and shovels abounded Friday as officials from BioFuel Energy, Cargill, the city of Fairmont and Martin County got together to break ground for a 110 million-gallon ethanol plant to be built in Fairmont.
A construction manager is now on site and the project is pushing forward. The plant is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2008.
Fairmont Mayor Chuck Groth said with the area’s economic roots firmly planted in agriculture, supporting value-added commodity projects is critical for Fairmont and Martin County to succeed.
Groth cited a number of short- and long-term benefits the plant brings along with its construction here. He noted the more than $100 million in investment to build what will be the largest ethanol plant in the state.
He also pointed out that the plant will create 50 new jobs, more on-farm revenue, and a greater tax base.
“Fairmont looks forward to a long relationship with BioFuel Energy and Cargill,” Groth stated.
Dan Simon, COO and co-founder of BioFuel Energy, thanked local leaders and the community at large for supporting the project.
“Today is a big day for us,” Simon said. “We see the Fairmont plant at the center of what will be a larger organization in the future — an organization of 500 million gallons.”
Simon said the company appreciated the community support it received during what was a sometimes difficult process. He said the city and county officials were always there helping and he also heard of all the people who drove to St. Paul during hearings with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to show support through the permitting process.
“That meant a lot to us,” Simon noted.
He added that support for ethanol plants shows support for home-grown energy and reduces reliance on foreign oil.
JohnAlan Page, vice-president of Biofuel Solutions and project manager for the Fairmont facility, said the community’s support was critical in keeping the project alive.
“We thank the whole community and county for the tremendous support and welcome we got,” Page said. “We may not have got the permits without the local support.”
A representative from Cargill said the plant construction represents exciting times in agriculture. Cargill will provide the corn for the plant, market the ethanol and provide some management services. Cargill sees the plant as a growth opportunity and one of prosperity for Fairmont, he said.
Sen. Julie Rosen said it is only right the biggest facility goes up in the Fairmont area.
“With our huge ag base it is only appropriate the first 100 million-gallon facility is built here,” Rosen said. “Now we need to educate people on what ag is. It is also renewables and we need to make sure people understand ... no matter how you slice it, Minnesota’s economy is ag-based.”
Rep. Bob Gunther acknowledged the difficulties in the permitting process.
“I want to thank BioFuel Solutions for being perseverant in the permitting process,” he said. “Today is a great day.”
Representatives of Sen. Norm Coleman and Congressman Gil Gutknecht also spoke at the groundbreaking celebration.
Once it is operational the facility will require 41 million bushels of corn to produce its 110 million gallon ethanol capacity each year.
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