Hoosiers lead the way ... again

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels (Ex CEO Eli LIlly and all round good guy) announced today that Louis Dreyfus Agriculture Industries LLC plans to build the world’s largest biodiesel plant near Claypool, Indiana.That means Indiana will become the leading US producing state in the biofuels industry.

“It’s been a hectic year of dramatic progress in renewable fuels development in our state. If Indiana can do this, think what America can do to work toward energy self-sufficiency. In just one year, we’re growing from one alternative fuels plant to nine, with more to come. We said our ag sector would be a big part of our economic comeback, and here’s the proof,” said Daniels, who made the announcement during his remarks at the 2nd National Agriculture/Forestry Renewable Energy Summit in Washington, D.C. a meeting point for 70 organizations which support a vision of providing 25 percent of the country’s energy needs from renewable sources by 2025.

Indiana, fifth largest corn state, fourth largest soybean state will produce an additional 400 million gallons of ethanol annually and 95 million gallons of biodiesel (including Louis Dreyfus). Indiana’s goal is to produce a combined 1 billion gallons of ethanol and biodiesel annually.

Through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, the state has reached an agreement with Louis Dreyfus to build the project in two phases at Claypool in Kosciusko County in northeastern Indiana. The first will be a 50-million bushel per year soybean processing plant, and the second phase will be the biodiesel production facility. The plant will utilize Indiana grown soybeans.

When complete, the Louis Dreyfus facility will be one of the world’s first biodiesel production plants to be fully integrated with a soybean processing plant. About 260,000 metric tons of soybean oil from the plant will be used each year for biodiesel production.

1 million tons of protein rich soybean meal will also be produced annually for the livestock and poultry industry. 85 permanent jobs will be created at the plant,as well as 300 construction jobs.

“Today’s announcement says to the nation that Indiana is a state serious about being a leader in biofuels,” remarked Lt. Governor Becky Skillman, who serves as Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development and oversees the Indiana Office of Energy and Defense Development.

Louis Dreyfus, a global mega agri-business was founded in 1851 and operates in more than 50 countries.

The IEDC offered economic development incentives, including up to $95,000 in training grants, $137,500 in infrastructure assistance to the local community, and (here is the kicker folks) up to $5.295 million in tax credits based on anticipated employment and capital investment levels.

Pic is JULIA Louis-Dreyfus who plays Elaine Benes in "Seinfeld" and has no connection with this story whatever.... but, hey ....

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