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Ethanol poised to fuel
Illinois economy
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[NOV. 28, 2003]
BLOOMINGTON -- Illinois is
well-positioned to take advantage of the rapidly expanding ethanol
market because of its competitive advantages, according to a newly
completed study released Wednesday by the United States Department
of Agriculture Rural Development, the Illinois Department of
Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Illinois Department of
Agriculture.
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According to the "Economic Potential
for Ethanol Production Expansion in Illinois," the state's large
corn production, central geographic location and well-developed
infrastructure are among key assets, according to Doug Wilson, state
director of USDA Rural Development.
"USDA Rural Development's investment in
the state's rural infrastructure is paying off. Armed with this
information, we are better prepared to help Illinois capitalize on
the economic boon in ethanol demand with our business and industry,
renewable energy and value-added programs," Wilson said.
The study will allow Illinois to target
state and federal resources for ethanol development cost-effectively
by using Illinois-specific data to evaluate the viability of
proposed ethanol production facilities.
"Ethanol offers clear economic
development opportunities for Illinois, including the creation of
new construction and manufacturing jobs, increased local and
regional farm incomes from value-added products, a boost to rural
economies, and the generation of new tax revenues for the state,"
said Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Jack
Lavin.
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DCEO's new Renewable Fuels Development
Program has been initiated, and projects are currently being
developed. Fifteen million dollars is available to support the
construction, expansion and modification of biofuels production
facilities of 30 million gallons or more.
The demand for ethanol has increased
along with the growing national interest in energy security, cleaner
renewable fuels and the need to replace MTBE, a gasoline additive
that has polluted more than 1,500 community water supplies. Such
increased interest in ethanol has the potential to broadly impact
the income of Illinois' farmers.
"Increased
ethanol production would certainly create additional demand for corn
and raise farm income," Illinois Agriculture Director Chuck Hartke
said. "But, the potential benefits to our industry do not end there.
The study also found market opportunities for the byproduct of
ethanol production, the so-called distillers' grain, as a low-cost,
efficient livestock feed."
[Illinois
Department of Agriculture news release]
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