(Heron Lake, Mn.)– Officials with Heron Lake Bio Energy are planning to build a 50 million gallon ethanol plant near Heron Lake in Jackson county.
Project Coordinator Jan Donahue says the plant will be coal-fired using high-quality, low-sulfur coal from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming. She says it will cost more up-front, but will actually save money long term.
Bob Ferguson of Heron Lake Bio Energy says they hope to raise 37 to 42 million dollars in equity by early January to help fund the 94 million dollar project.
Once up and running, Donahue says the plant will employ 38 people full-time.
Heron Lake Bio Energy will hold informational meetings to line up investors in the project throughout nine counties in southwest Minnesota in upcoming months.
The plant will be built near Heron Lake along the Union Pacific rail line.
