Sioux Falls, SD - Great Plains Ethanol, LLC (GPE) has finalized plans to expand their production capacity from a nameplate of 40 million gallons per year (MGPY) to 100 MGPY.

The board initially began discussing the expansion in May 2005 and began a feasibility study conducted by Broin and Associates in August 2005.

"After the conclusion of an extensive engineering and feasibility study, the Great Plains Ethanol Board of Managers unanimously voted on May 24, 2006, to move forward," stated Darrin Ihnen, GPE Board Chairman. "The Board of Managers will review the expansion plans with members at the Annual Meeting scheduled for June 12, 2006."

"Everyone associated with Great Plains Ethanol is extremely excited to go forward with our expansion," said Rick Serie, Great Plains General Manager. "This will not only continue, but will also increase the positive economic impact our facility has in the region."

"We look forward to beginning construction work on GPE’s expansion," said Broin Companies CEO Jeff Broin. "Construction by our company is planned to begin in early fall 2006. We’ve enjoyed a highly successful partnership with Great Plains and we look forward to a great future together."

Great Plains Ethanol, LLC, a Premier Partner with and built by the Broin Companies, is located near Chancellor, SD, and began production in March 2003.

The Broin Companies are a highly specialized and integrated technology development, production, management, and marketing company in the ethanol industry. As the second largest producer in the industry, the Broin Companies have designed and constructed 23 operating ethanol plants and currently have nine projects under construction or development. The Broin Companies currently produce, manage, and market more than 800 million gallons of ethanol annually.