By DAVE BLOWER JR.
Farm World Editor

NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. — Poet, the largest producer of biofuels in the world, opened its third ethanol-production facility, poetically, on Sept. 11 – the seventh anniversary of the terrorists’ attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a flight that crashed into a rural Pennsylvania field.

In rural Wabash County near North Manchester, Ind., Poet Biorefining will produce 65 million gallons of ethanol per year. Poet CEO Jeff Broin said 22 million bushels of corn from area growers will be used to create the fuel.

“It’s ironic that we’re here today, seven years after airplanes hit the World Trade Center,” Broin added. “National security is a big issue in this election, and I think it will continue to be an important issue in the future.”

During an opening ceremony presentation, Poet said American ethanol production has outpaced oil imports from all countries except Canada and Saudi Arabia.

“Right here in North Manchester, we are making a difference,” Broin said. “The ethanol that will be produced in this facility will displace over 60 million gallons of fossil fuels annually – decreasing our dependence on foreign oil and saving consumers money at the pump.”

Poet has two additional facilities in the Hoosier State. The ethanol-producing plants in Alexandria, Ind. and Portland, Ind. each pump out approximately 60 million gallons of the corn-based renewable fuel.

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) attended the ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the state’s ninth ethanol plant. Along with its environmental and political benefits, the governor said ethanol plants are good for rural economic development.

“I submit to you there has never been a better time for investment in small-town America,” Daniels said. “I see a wonderful future for the small communities of this state.”

The North Manchester plant cost $130 million to build, and it employs 42 people with annual payroll of more than $2 million.
In addition to the three Poet ethanol plants, there are more facilities in Marion, Washington, Rensselaer, South Bend, Clymers and Linden. Ethanol plants in Cloverdale and Winchester are currently under construction. As well, the world’s largest soybean-based biodiesel facility, owned by Louis Dreyfus, is in Claypool, Ind. Daniels added he is pleased with the state’s progress.

“Three years ago, we were nowhere in the biofuels revolution,” he said. “We caught up in a hurry. We’re now among the leaders in this industry. Indiana has caught up with the ethanol and biofuels revolution in large part because of this company.

“With its third Indiana facility, Poet is quickly becoming a household name in our small towns. This new North Manchester facility means more good jobs and an important market for our Hoosier farmers.”

Indiana’s ethanol plants will produce 532 million gallons this year, which is the sixth highest in the United States. Broin believes there is still room to grow the industry in Indiana.

“There are multiple sites that remain possible in Indiana,” Broin explained. “We’re very confident we’ll be back in Indiana in the future.

“We put these facilities in the right location for sustainability.”
For Poet, North Manchester was its 24th ethanol plant, but two more are expected to open this year in Ohio. The facilities in Fostoria, Ohio and Marion, Ohio will each generate 68 million gallons per year. When those facilities go online, Poet’s combined efforts will produce more than 1.5 billion gallons of ethanol per year.
In addition to ethanol, Poet Biorefining in North Manchester will generate 178,000 tons of Dakota Gold Enhanced Nutrition Distillers Products each year. Rail access for these products is provided by Norfolk Southern.

Broin believes there is more than enough corn to feed the world, and to offset growing energy needs. “That’s right, it’s not food or fuel, it’s food and fuel,” he exclaimed. “The fact is, without ethanol, the cost of gas would be higher today.”

Broin stated energy costs are the biggest culprit in rising food prices. “You farmers out there, you don’t have to apologize for the prices you’re getting for your crops,” he said, adding that farmers get less than 20 percent of each dollar spent on food.

He said there are other factors impacting food prices, and ways to solve those problems. One answer, Broin suggested, was putting more land into agricultural production. He cited a Stanford University study that estimated the world has more than 1 billion acres of farmland sitting idle. Broin believes the solutions to many of these answers are found in grassroots efforts.

Local officials were eager to welcome Poet’s leaders at last week’s ceremony.

“The opening of the Poet facility in Wabash County near North Manchester represents a crucial step in the diversification of our economy,” said Bill Konyha, the president and CEO of the Economic Development Group of Wabash County. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with an enterprise the caliber of Poet on this project and would like to pledge our continued support for their efforts in the northeast Indiana region.”