Indeck is back with plans to build enthanol plant in Niles

Published 9:55 am Saturday, June 9, 2007

By By JAN GRIFFEY / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Indeck Energy is back with new plans to build a plant on land it owns in Niles' industrial park.
However, this time, instead of a natural gas-powered plant to produce electricity, Indeck is making plans to build an ethanol plant.
Rick Robinson, vice president of business development for Indeck, an independent energy producer based in Buffalo Grove, Ill., said the company will develop a 100 MMGPY dry-mill ethanol plant in Niles on the more than 200 acres Indeck owns here.
He said in a press release the Michigan Economic Development Corp., in conjunction with the Southwest Michigan Economic Growth Alliance Inc. and the City of Niles developed an incentive package, which will make the facility possible.
Robinson said one advantage is that the site is strategically located adjacent to the Norfolk Southern Railroad and is in the heart of Michigan "corn country."
He said an air permit application will be submitted to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in the near term, with permit issuance anticipated by December of this year.
Fagen Inc. will construct the facility with groundbreaking expected during the second quarter of 2008.
"The City of Niles offers its strong support for the proposed new ethanol plant to be built in the Niles Industrial Park by Indeck Energy," said Niles Mayor Michael McCauslin. "The economic impact will be substantial for the community. In addition to the construction ofthe facility, many new jobs will be created and our local farmers will have a close market for their product. The City of Niles also believes that the development of ethanol will help make our country less dependent on foreign oil."
Mike Dreher, president of the Southwest Michigan Economic Growth Alliance, said his group is equally enthused.
"The Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance supports Indeck and their expansion into Niles," Dreher said. "We look forward in dealing with a company in the agriculture industry. Indeck will bring much needed tax revenue for our city and our schools. Finally, we look forward to the added businesses Indeck will bring into Niles."