Broin intends to build a 65 mgpy facility near the Northern Ohio community of Marion

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (March 28, 2007) – The Broin Companies, the nation’s largest dry mill ethanol producer, announced a location outside Marion that will become the company’s 3rd ethanol production facility in the state of Ohio and their 31st construction project overall. The North Central Ohio community of Marion is located in Marion County 50 miles north of Columbus. Marion Ethanol, a $130 million production facility, will be located on 284 acres approximately 1.5 miles northwest of Marion on Hillman-Ford Road.

At 65 million gallons of ethanol per year (MGPY), Marion Ethanol will consume 21 million bushels of locally grown corn and produce 178,000 tons of premium Dakota Gold Enhanced Nutrition Distillers Products™. Ethanol marketing for the facility will be provided by Ethanol Products and byproducts will be marketed by Dakota Gold Marketing, both subsidiaries of Broin Companies. The facility will utilize rail service from CSX.

Broin Companies expects to start construction in the next 30-60 days with a construction time period of 12-14 months. As the project has developed, Broin has forged close working relationships with Marion County, the Board of Marion County Commissioners, the technical staff from the county, the Ridgedale School Board, Marion Township and many others in the community. Broin views the continuation of those working relationships as vital to the long-term success of the project.

"With this our third project in the state, we have found Ohio communities to be very welcoming of our company and Marion is the latest example of that,” said Jeff Broin, President and CEO of the Broin Companies. "Based on the reception we’ve had in Marion, we anticipate being a productive member of their business community for many years to come."

Mike Wagner, executive director of the Buckeye Renewable Fuels Association and past executive director of the Ohio Corn Growers, said, "Our number one goal for several years has been to develop an ethanol industry in the state and we welcome the Broin Companies, one of the best in the industry, to Marion, Ohio."

Board of Marion County Commissioners Chairman Ken Frayer said, "Our community is extremely pleased that a quality company such as Broin has decided to invest more than $130 million in an ethanol plant in Marion County. Agriculture is the backbone of our community and this ethanol plant will enhance our markets, help our community grow, add 40 new jobs and improve our infrastructure. We are pleased to welcome Broin to Marion County."

Marion Ethanol is the 3rd site in Ohio where Broin Companies has announced their intentions to build an ethanol production facility. Broin will provide turnkey development, design, engineering, construction, management and marketing services for the project. Summit Ethanol near Leipsic, Ohio is scheduled for completion later this year and construction of Fostoria Ethanol will follow a timeline similar to Marion. Additionally, Broin Companies is continuing to evaluate other sites in the state.