Wisconsin Ag Connection - State's Ethanol Sector Beginning to Fuel Job Creation

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State's Ethanol Sector Beginning to Fuel Job Creation
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 01/13/2012

A couple of years ago, the state's biofuel industry was facing some uncertainty as proposed biodiesel facilities were being scrapped and an ethanol production plant in Jefferson went into bankruptcy proceedings. But with U.S. exports of ethanol hitting a record one billion gallons this past year, state agriculture officials say things are looking up.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture announced this week that ethanol was the state's second most valuable export in the first three quarters of 2011--valued at $217 million, a growth of 169 percent over the same period in 2010. Wisconsin's largest market for ethanol shipments is Canada.

There are currently nine large scale ethanol production facilities in the state, employing 420 people full-time workers. Many of those plants are owned and operated by Wisconsin businesses, which means more of the dollars generated by the industry stays local.

Looking ahead, there is continued growth potential in ethanol related exports around the world. According to the Renewable Fuels Association, the U.S. is positioned to meet the demands for renewable fuels in Canada, Mexico, Europe, Brazil and Southeast Asia, because our country's ethanol now has the lowest cost of any transportation fuel in the world. Wisconsin is the seventh largest ethanol producer in the country with room to grow to help meet the increasing need.

And the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association says another opportunity for the state's ethanol industry is by-products like dried distiller grains. In 2011, Wisconsin ethanol plants produced nearly 38 metric tons of those grains that are used to feed livestock here and around the globe.

DATCP's International Trade Team has plans for the coming year to push for more agricultural exports by offering business counseling, educational seminars, market research, market development and international promotions.

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