BY TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer
Louis Dreyfus Corp. has options on about 182 acres of property in Franklin Township, according to documents in the county recorder's office.
Today, LouisDreyfus representative Dave Lyons said, "We have the property option, we like the area, and the land is optioned for the purpose of exploring the potential for an ethanol plant."
Lyons, the vice president of government relations, said the company has an ethanol plant under construction near Norfolk, Neb.
The company also has some interest in ethanol production in Brazil, South America.
The Franklin Township property is owned by M. Garwin and Peggy Eaton, 4636 S. CR 800W, Mentone. The land is south of Ind. 25, north of the Norfolk and Western Railway and west of CR 800W. Burket is about one mile to the southeast.
Purchase of the property is contingent upon the company's ability to rezone the area from agricultural to an agricultural industry use.
Peggy Eaton confirmed the contract, but wasn't told about the company's plans.
She could only speculate, saying she hoped LouisDreyfus received approval to rezone and all permits they needed for the project.
The couple live across the road from the optioned land.
When asked about potential odors from an ethanol plant, Eaton said it wasn't a concern.
"In comparison to hog or chicken odor, what's the difference? We have to reduce our dependence on foreign oil."
The property is adjacent to the North Central Co-op where a railroad spur is already in place.
North Central Co-op is a diesel fuel supplier to residential, commercial and agricultural customers.