(Estherville)– A huge economic development shot-in-the-arm for Estherville.
Eller Enterprises of Ames announced today (Tuesday) plans to build a 55 million dollar biodiesel plant.
Company spokesman Matt Eller hopes construction can be completed in 15 to 18 months. He says they’re currently working out financing.
The plant will be owned and operated by Northern Bio Energy, LC, consisting of several residents from the Estherville area.
Plant Manager Chris Daniel says the operation will use a number of raw materials, including animal fat products, vegetable oils, soy oil, and so on.
The company plans to hire 25 to 30 people. Daniel says wages and benefits have yet to be determined.
The plant will have a capacity of about 30 million gallons of bio-diesel fuel per year.
The plant will be constructed just south of Estherville along the Union Pacific rail line.
