(Published Friday, March 30, 2007 10:59:46 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
By Carla McCann Gazette staff
MILTON-White steam rolled a short distance from tall stacks at United Ethanol on Thursday before dissipating in the wind above Milton's East Side Industrial Park.
It was the first day of operation at the $60 million ethanol plant.
But despite months of bitter opposition from a handful of residents, including a court battle and accusations against the Milton City Council of illegal closed-door meetings, few people appeared to notice or care that the plant had started operation.
"We went on line, grinding corn, this morning," said David Cramer, United Ethanol president. "We're moving through the commissioning process."
Mostly, people went about their day oblivious to the ethanol operation.
While Milton East Elementary School students climbed on playground equipment at 12:50 p.m., David Nelson was getting his hair cut across the street at Cal's Barbershop.
The 77-year-old Serns Road resident didn't know United Ethanol was up and running, and he really didn't care.
Steam rising from the United Ethanol plant in Milton indicates the plant is up and running, crushing corn to make ethanol.
Dan Lassiter/Gazette Staff
As a barber, "Cal" Calhoon is wired into the community's information feed. He believes the ethanol plant is "old news" and not much of a concern.
"I don't know that ethanol is the answer," Calhoon said. "But I sure don't blame the city for meeting in closed sessions. If anything will help the farmers, that's great."
A block away from the barbershop on Parkview Drive, Helga Graham was walking home with her 1-year-old granddaughter, Allison Graham, and 2-year-old grandson, Noah Graham.
Helga didn't know the plant had gone on line, either.
"There's no odor," Helga said.
Her philosophy is simple.
"Either you work and eat; or you don't work and don't eat," Helga said. "Sometimes, you have to put up with some inconveniences."
But the ethanol plant didn't seem to be one of them, she said.
At the Parkview Cafe, customers had similar opinions.
Gerald and Mary Arndt were surprised to hear that the months of work was finished on the Beaver Dam-based company's newest addition.
Gerald had just one question.
"I want to know when gas is going down to $1.50 a gallon," he said.
In a nearby booth, Archie Beran said he wasn't surprised that the ethanol plant was in business. He had heard rumors a few days ago from a group of construction workers that it would be any day.
The Milton man doesn't have any concerns about the operation, either.
"That was all a lot of B.S.," Beran said. "What's wrong with it? It's good for the farmers."
The ethanol plant is progress, said Shirley Edmundson, another Milton resident eating lunch at the cafe with friends.
"That's the future," she said.
Darlene Bowers, also of Milton, said change is inevitable.
"We've got to change," she said.
Although the plant was operating, it opened without its partner, EPCO Carbon Dioxide Products, which is headquartered in Monroe, La. The carbon dioxide recovering system, which will be on the ethanol plant site, will add from 15 to 20 new trucking jobs to the community.
Construction on the carbon dioxide plant will begin this summer and should be completed by spring 2008, Cramer said.
Except for the billowing plume of steam, a lone worker checking outside equipment and an occasional semi-trailer tractor delivering corn, the newest facility in the industrial park appeared to be quietly settling in.
No odor, loud noise or a notable increase in traffic could be attributed to the plant.
"We're a good neighbor and want to continue to be a good neighbor," Cramer said.
As far as Lizabeth Struzynski is concerned, United Ethanol has proven a responsible member of the community.
Her home on County M is in the shadow of the plant. For months, the daily show was outside of her patio window.
She watched the plant being built.
"I haven't had any problems with the ethanol plant from the get-go," Struzynski said. "I went to most all of the meetings about the plant. When all of them (opponents) were saying, 'Not in my backyard,' I said, 'No, it's in mine.' We haven't had any problems at all with it being here."
Now that the plant is running, Cramer has moved on to the company's next venture-the construction of an ethanol plant between Arena and Spring Green.
"River Valley Energy will be almost a mirror image of the Milton project," Cramer said, before beginning his day raising money for the next plant.
