SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (December 17, 2007) – On January 10, POET will host a grand opening event for POET Biorefining in Leipsic, Ohio. The $105 million ethanol production facility in Leipsic will be the first ethanol production facility in the state of Ohio and the 22nd POET production facility. The program is open to the public and will include addresses from Governor Ted Strickland and Mike Wagner, Executive Director of the Buckeye Renewable Fuels Association.

The event will be held at the facility (3875 Highway 65) with guided public tours beginning at 9:30 a.m. At 10:45 a.m. the crowd will be treated to a flyover from the Vanguard Squadron – the world’s only 100 percent ethanol-powered aerobatic fleet. The speaking program will start at 11:00 a.m. with Ashley Heckman, a student at Glandorf Elementary, performing the National Anthem. Lunch will be served by Lock 16 Restaurant from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tours will resume at 12:30 p.m. and run through 2:30 p.m.
Schedule of events:
9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Public tours
10:45 a.m. Vanguard Squadron Fly-over
11:00 a.m. – noon Speaking program
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Public tours

Attendees will also be able to view a life-sized replica of the #17 Ethanol Car from the Indy Racing League that is co-sponsored by POET. Public parking for the event is available at the Fogle Center, PG&T Trucking and the Marathon Station. Buses will run to and from the public parking places and the facility throughout the day. Be advised to carpool as parking is limited.

POET Biorefining – Leipsic will produce 65 million gallons of ethanol per year from more than 22 million bushels of corn from the area and provide around 40 jobs with an annual payroll of approximately $2 million. Once the Leipsic facility is operational, POET’s annual production capacity will be 1.17 billion gallons, the largest capacity of any ethanol producer in the world. POET has two additional plants under construction in Marion and Fostoria, Ohio.

About POET
POET, the largest ethanol producer in the world, is an established leader in the biorefining industry through project development, design and construction, research and development, plant management, and marketing. Formerly known as Broin, the 20-year old company currently operates 21 production facilities in the United States with six more in construction or under development. The company produces and markets more than 1.1 billion gallons of ethanol annually. For more information, go to http://www.poetenergy.com.

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