Ethanol plant completes first year

September 30, 2007

WHEELER - Western Wisconsin Energy, LLC (WWE) recently rounded out its first year in the ethanol industry. Many people associated with the plant, along with local legislators, are pleased with the pprogress so far.

WWE president Paul Harrison said, "I am incredibly pleased with the plant's first year of operation. I think Senator (Pat) Kreitlow said it best when he commented on the plant's additional tax base to Dunn County. The property tax base to Dunn County. The property on which the plant stands was a corn field, which contributed $3,000 a year in 1996. This year, the WWE will pay around $300,000. Even more satisfying than the additional tax base is the creation of 37 full-time jobs with good benefits."

Lee Jensen, general manager of the Five-Star Dairy, located in Elk Mound, also had words of support for the WWE's first successful year.

"As a local farmer and business owner, I have had the opportunity to purchase distiller's grain from the plant," he said. " The consistancy of the distiller's grain is always high quality and is an excellent source of protein and energy for cattle. Having the plant located in our region is a real compliment to cattle and poultry operations."

Distiller's grain is a byproduct of the ethanol making process.

State Representative Jeff Wood also weighed in on the one year anniversary. "Everywhere I go in Dunn County, I hear great things about the economic impact the plant is having on the economy. Whether it is gas stations, restaurants or grocery stores, local business owners are talking about the increase in customers and business. The plant's positive economic impact is even better than I expected."

Tom Gillis, a local farmer and board member of the Wisconsin Corn Promotions Board also provided accolades to the WWE. "The Corn Promotions Board is always working toward expanding the market for one of agriculture's number one crops," he said. "The plant is a perfect example of bringing in more value to locally-grown corn. Market conditions used to force me to send my corn over to Minnesota. Now, I can get a good price and keep my corn in the local economy."

Gillis has been a board member of the Corn Promotions Board for three years and a member of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association for more than 15 years.

The WWE ethanol plant has been in operation since Aug. 28, 2006. The plant is designed to produce 40 million galls of fuel grade ethanol per year, which can be used in numerous flex-fuel vehicles being mass produced by automobile manufacturers.

The Dunn County News, Sunday, September 30, 2007, Agriculture, A14