Frank Denzler, Rushville Republican
Although there's no visual indicator an ethanol plant will be located north of Rushville Mayor Bob Bridges said this week that he anticipates construction of the facility will begin in the not too distant future.
"The ethanol plant will be here, just not as soon as originally anticipated or that we had hoped for. We hope to have a ground breaking ceremony later this spring," Mayor Bridges said Tuesday afternoon.
When asked to elaborate on the delay the mayor said that "the bottom falling out of corn prices" had an initial impact on securing the remaining financing necessary for the project.
"The drawn out process to gain the necessary permits has been completed, now it is simply a mater of gaining the necessary funding to continue. Lending institutions are not overly excited about prospects they need tangible assets to be used as collateral on projects of this nature," Bridges said.
When asked about the prospect of another ethanol plant locating east of Glenwood in Fayette County and what, if any, impact that would have locally Bridges said that it was his understanding that the Fayette County location is in the very early stages and that no permits have been filed with the state at this time.
"It is my understanding that if the plant in Fayette County becomes a reality they will contract corn to be used and that no local corn will be used at the location," Bridges said.
Once complete and operational, it is anticipated that the facility north of Rushville will consume roughly 20 million bushels of corn annually and in turn produce 60 million gallons of ethanol.
Rush Renewable Energy officials have said that the $90 million facility will create jobs for up to 300 construction craftsmen during the building stage and an additional 35 to 40 full-time positions upon completion.
The site of the facility will be off SR 3 adjacent to the INTAT Precision Inc.