SHELBYVILLE, Ind.–Construction has begun on a new ethanol plant in Shelbyville. Spokespeople for POET LLC say the E15 biofuel facility will translate into 45 full-time jobs and distribute approximately $110 million to farmers within a 30-mile radius for their corn harvest. Hiring for the positions is set to begin next spring.
E15 is a higher octane, cleaner burning and lower cost blend of 15 percent biofuel. Full implementation of E15 nationwide would add 7 billion gallons of biofuels demand and an additional need of 2 billion bushels of corn from farmers who have been struggling with low crop prices and declining farm income over the last five years. This additional demand is important for communities that rely on agriculture to drive their economies.
The Shelbyville facility, set for completion in Spring 2020, becomes the 28th starch biofuel plant in POET’s network and the fifth in Indiana. More than 275 temporary jobs will be needed during construction.