Iowa’s already the nation’s leader in ethanol production, with 13 plants now running statewide and 14 more proposed — including the latest announcement in north-central Iowa. The Sioux Falls-based Broin Companies plans to build an ethanol plant in Hamilton County, with the groundbreaking April 28th in Jewell. The new plant should be on-line in 2006 and will employ up to 40 people, producing 60-million gallons of ethanol a year, consuming 21-million bushels of corn.

Radio Iowa