Sioux Falls, SD – Approximately 2,000 Emmetsburg-area residents attended the grand opening ceremony of the $64 million Voyager Ethanol, LLC plant February 25, 2005. Voyager Ethanol is the 20th plant built by the Broin Companies of Sioux Falls, S.D., and the fourth Broin plant in Iowa.

The plant’s Grains Building was the location of the hour-long program where the standing-room-only crowd was addressed by company representatives, local leaders, members of the Iowa legislature and their delegates, and ethanol industry officials.

Jeff Vonk, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director, represented Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack at the event and in his remarks stressed Governor Vilsack’s strong support of ethanol. “The opening of the Voyager plant makes Iowa number one in ethanol nationwide,” he said. “And this plant is also an example of the DNR’s commitment to work together with the industry. We completed the permit process in just 35 days.”

State Senator Jack Kibbie, of Emmetsburg, spoke passionately about ethanol and E-85, an ethanol-based fuel containing 85 percent ethanol. Kibbie told attendees that at least 20 percent of vehicles on the road today could burn E-85 fuel as well as regular gasoline. Kibbie has drafted Iowa legislation that would mandate all gasoline sold in the state contain at least 10 percent ethanol. There seems to be an unwritten mandate to buy oil from the Middle East, he suggested. “What we need is a mandate to buy oil out of our cornfields,” said Kibbie. “These plants provide another market for corn producers, which means more competition and in the end higher prices,” said Kibbie. “Plus ethanol promotes a better environment with less reliance on foreign oil. I will continue to promote legislation that requires an ethanol standard in all gasoline used on Iowa highways and for more incentives for E-85 vehicles,” stated Kibbie.

Iowa 7th District Representative Marcella Frevert focused on economic gains for Emmetsburg and the surrounding area. “This plant will create 40-plus jobs and a $300 million impact on this region,” she explained. “It’s difficult to believe any Iowan would still need to be convinced to use renewable fuels.”

“This plant will fuel the regional economy in many ways. Workers will benefit from good-paying jobs,” said Jeff Broin, CEO of Broin Companies. “Local Main Streets will benefit from millions of dollars the plant will spend every year, farmers benefit from increased corn prices and the nation benefits when we produce more of our energy at home.”

Others on the podium for the event included: Lois Clark, Regional Representative for Congressman Tom Latham; Maureen Wilson, Regional Director for Senator Tom Harkin; Myrna Heddinger, Mayor of

Emmetsburg; Ron V. Lamberty, Vice President/Market Development Director, American Coalition for Ethanol; and Larry Schafer, Vice President, Renewable Fuels Association.

“We have received tremendous support from the Emmetsburg area,” said Daron Wilson, General Manager of Voyager Ethanol. “Voyager is proud to bring positive economic impact to the community.”

Annually, Voyager Ethanol will consume 17.5 million bushels of corn from the regional area and will produce 50 million gallons of ethanol. Voyager 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 Vanguard Squadron, four 100-percent-ethanol-powered airplanes, entertained the crowd with a flyover prior to the ceremony. Plant tours allowed attendees an up-close view of the plant and the ethanol production process.

Following the event local outlets offered discounts on gasoline containing ethanol. Iowa Farm Bureau Federation sponsored the promotion in conjunction with three local stations. Vehicles formed long lines at Casey’s, Dynos and Kum & Go stations to take advantage of the special offer.

Broin Companies began building ethanol plants in 1983. Total production capacity at Broin Companies partner plants will exceed 700 million gallons annually by the summer of 2005. The company has built plants in five states and provides turnkey development, design/build, management and product marketing services for its partner facilities.