Editorial

Dignitaries ready to wish plant the best

Friday, May 21, 2004

If you can, take time Monday morning to join state and national dignitaries in celebrating the grand opening of the outstanding new ethanol production facility which overlooks the Republican River Valley east of Trenton.

Although the plant has been open less than two months, it is already apparent that the state-of-the-art facility will have a huge impact on the economy of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas. It's turning out to be a win, win, win situation because the Trenton Agri Products LLC enterprise has created 31 new jobs; launched an expanded market for grain; and spurred a flurry of trucking activity.

As a tribute to the ethanol plant's importance, Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns and U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne will both be on hand Monday morning at 10 a.m. for the grand opening ceremony. They will be joined by State Sen. Tom Baker of Trenton and Richard Baier, the director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

People from throughout the area are encouraged to attend to show appreciation for the large, long-term investment that Trenton Agri Products LLC has made in this region.

"We hit the ground running," said Plant Manager Ralph Scott. "Within six days of the start of grinding, we were at a full production rate, and we have remained at that level -- or above -- since that time."

The official start of operations at the plant took place Monday, March 29, at 5:26 p.m. (CST), and between then and Wednesday, May 19 -- a period of just 51 days -- the plant had already:

* Sold 3,403,629 gallons of ethanol;

* Brought in 1,106,419 bushels of corn;

* Sold 1,638,380 pounds of Wet Distiller's Grain; and:

* Marketed 55,346,800 pounds of Dried Distiller's Grain.

That is a lot to try to comprehend, but the important thing to remember is what all that activity means. Scott explains. "We are already at or over our daily production estimates, which means we will achieve the pre-construction production goal of 30 million gallons of ethanol per year."

Not only that, but the Trenton Agri Products LLC plant is also providing a crucial source of protein for livestock feed in this area. "We call it 'Wet Cake,'" Scott said of the product known more officially as Wet Distiller's Grain.

To date, that's been the plant's main by-product, but in time to come the facility will also become a major distributor of Dried Distillers Grain, known by the initials DDG.

One of the most gratifying things for Scott has been the quality of the staff at the ethanol plant. "They're doing a great job. I've been impressed by how well they work together."

It's time to say thanks. You can join in saluting the staff and the plant. Be there Monday to express appreciation and support for this valuable addition to the area economy.

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