Sioux Falls, SD – The Broin Companies are pleased to announce the Grand Opening of Northstar Ethanol, LLC near Lake Crystal, Minn. Northstar Ethanol will be the seventh ethanol plant project the Broin Companies of Sioux Falls, S.D., have built in the state of Minnesota and Broin’s 21st ethanol plant since its inception.

The Grand Opening will take place at the plant site near Lake Crystal on Saturday, May 7, 2005. Public tours will begin at 10:00 a.m. Lunch will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Grand Opening program will take place from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. followed by public tours until 4:00 p.m.

Parking will be available in Lake Crystal at the American Legion Hall, County Road 20 South and the Lake Crystal Area Recreation Center, 621 West Nathan. No parking will be allowed at the plant site. Buses will run continuously to and from the plant. Media wishing access to the site should register in advance for press credentials by e-mailing rebecca.sevening@broin.com.

“The Broin Companies are excited to bring this world-class facility to Lake Crystal,” said Jeff Broin, CEO of the Broin Companies. “Northstar Ethanol is creating a new market for area corn growers and providing highly technical, good paying jobs. This plant will be a catalyst for millions of dollars in new economic growth for the region.”

Annually, Northstar Ethanol will consume 17.5 million bushels of corn from the regional area and will produce 50 million gallons of ethanol. Northstar Ethanol will improve the local corn basis while providing an environmentally friendly fuel and a valuable high protein Dakota Gold brand livestock feed to local, regional, and national markets.

“The reception from the entire region has been phenomenal,” said Scott Austin, General Manager of Northstar Ethanol. “Everyone at Northstar is looking forward to creating a positive economic impact on the community offering an alternative marketing strategy for area corn producers and a technologically-advanced, value-added agricultural business for the region.”

Broin Companies began building ethanol plants in 1983. Each plant constructed by the Broin Companies is currently running above nameplate capacity and enjoying financial success. With the addition of Northstar Ethanol, total annual production capacity at Broin Companies’ plants will exceed 700 million gallons. The company has built plants in five states and provides turnkey development, design/build, management and product marketing services for their partner facilities.