Arthur ethanol plant to receive development award

A northwest Iowa ethanol plant will be awarded the "outstanding business of the year" today by the Iowa Area Development Group.

Platinum Ethanol of Arthur, a privately held 110 million gallon plant, has expanded by producing corn oil extract and adding a 1.2 million bushel grain bin and a 1 million-plus bushel storage pad.

The plant, which started operations in September 2008, employs 50 people and uses more than 36 million bushels of corn.

The group also recognized Iowa Lakes Community College for distinguished leadership.

The Estherville school has developed a wind energy and turbine program to train workers for the growing wind industry. The college also has a wind turbine simulation center.

The Iowa Venture Award was also given to six other businesses:

- Allan Industrial Coatings, Allison.

- Bridges Bay Resort, Arnolds Park.

- Frontier Natural Products Co-op, Norway.

- Infrastructure Technology Solutions, Monticello.

- Majona Steel Corp., Osceola.

- NRP of Iowa, Steamboat Rock.

The Iowa Area Development Group is the economic development arm for rural electric cooperatives and member municipal electric systems.

Award nominations came from members.

The awards will be given today at the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives' annual meeting in West Des Moines.

source: desmoinesregister