Ethanol Plant Groundbreaking

Following nearly two years of planning and preparation, the official groundbreaking ceremony for a new ethanol plant at Fergus Falls, Minn., will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 27.  The ceremony will be held at the Otter Tail Ag Enterprises (OTAE) facility site located west of Fergus Falls on State Highway 210 and then 1.5 miles north on County Road 116.

 The groundbreaking event is a major milestone in the history of this project, says Jerry Larson, president of the OTAE Board of Governors.  “All the necessary construction, air and water permits are now in place from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Department of Natural Resources, and county and local governments,” Larson notes.

 When fully operational (following its expected 12 to 18 month construction period), the plant will employ more than 35 people and generate an annual payroll in excess of  $1.5 million.  The facility’s economic impact is expected to be more than $110 million per year, according to the Renewable Fuels Association.  “It is the single largest private investment ever made in Otter Tail County,” says Harold Stanislawski, executive director of the Fergus Falls Economic Development Commission.

 Otter Tail Ag Enterprises is a Minnesota JOBZ participant, which was an important factor in the choice of the ethanol facility’s site.  “We are proud of OTAE’s local and regional ownership, and we look forward to the many positive impacts this facility will bring to the region,” Larson emphasizes.

 The facility will be constructed by Harris Mechanical of Minneapolis, with design technology provided by Delta-T of Williamsburg, Va.  Kelly Longtin, OTAE chief executive officer, says that while the plant will initially operate at 57.5 million gallons, it is permitted for 65 million.