(Published Monday, February 19, 2007 11:10:45 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
By Gina Duwe Gazette Staff
EVANSVILLE
North Prairie Productions is nearing its $25 million goal in stockholder subscriptions, and a groundbreaking for its biodiesel plant is expected soon.
Vice President Jeff Pieterick said about $24.4 million has been raised, and he is anticipating the balance to come in over the next few weeks.
A March groundbreaking date is yet to be announced for the plant, which will be located on County M south of Highway 14 on the city's east side.
More than 650 subscribers from Wisconsin have already committed to project, which will produce 45 million gallons of biodiesel a year, Pieterick said.
The facility will create about 25 jobs, and Pieterick expects many of those will be filled by Evansville-area workers.
"This is a homegrown project after all," he said.
The plant is expected to bring in more than $127 million in annual revenue to the area, according to a study by the Small Business Development Center at UW-Whitewater.
