Kreitlow Applauds Success

July 29, 2007

WHEELER - Steve Christensen, general manager of the Western Wisconsin Energy (WWE) ethanol plant, recently hosted a tour of the facility for State Senator Pat Kreitlow.

Kreitlow, along with County Board Chair Steve Rasmussen, toured the plant to get a more in-depth look at the WWE's economic success story.

Krietlow said, "At this time last year, the WWE property was a corn field, which contributed approximately $3,000 a year to the county's tax base. This year, the WWE will pay around $300,000. That is a very real and direct economic impact to the local area. Combined with the creation of 37 jobs, this plant is economic development at its finest."

Commenting on the visit, Christensen said, "I am proud to show off this plant to sate officals. The job at the plant are good paying jobs with benefits."

Christensen indicated of the 37 jobs, only two of them were filled by nonlocal people. Christensen added, " The people in this regiion are very hardworking and talented. This reaffirms the WWE's decision to build the plant in a local, rural area."

Rasmussen said, "With the higher price of gas and our country's dependence on oil, this was a great opportunity to see what citizens in our state are doing ot find alternative energy resources. Additionally, this plant brings much needed jobs to rural Dunn County."

As part of the tour, Kreitlow expressed his support for the WWE's commitment to the local environment. "I know the WWE board could have cut corners and built the plant in a cheaper manner," he said. "However, from touring the plant, I can tell the board is committed to keeping their pledge of being a good neighbor. The plant is very clean, dust-free and odor-free. I am really impressed."

The WWE ethanol Plant has been in operation since Aug. 28, 2006. The plant is designed to produce 40 million gallons of fuel-grade ethanol per year, which can be used in numberous vehicles being massproducted by automobile manufacturers.

The Dunn County News, Sunday, July 29, 2007, Agriculture, A14