Nevada Chosen for DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol Project
The Nevada Economic Development Council is pleased and honored that DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol (DDCE), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DuPont, has entered into an agreement to purchase a Nevada site for one of the first in the world, 2nd generation commercial-scale biorefineries to produce ethanol from cellulose.
Renewable energy has been one of several targeted industries for both the City and the NEDC. This project takes renewable energy to another level as the energy needs of the country continue to grow.
Nevada has been fortunate to be the home of Lincolnway Energy which is one of the most successful and newsworthy ethanol facilities in the country. Lincolnway Energy’s success has provided the impetus for attraction of the DDCE project and other future bio projects to this area. Other resources that complement this project are the BECON Center (Biomass Energy Conversion Center) located in Nevada’s West Industrial Park, Iowa State University Plant Sciences Institute, ISU New Century Farm and the area’s productive agricultural community.
Additionally, the location lends itself to major highway transportation and international air service within 42 miles of the site.
In July of 2010, NEDC staff was summoned to the Iowa Department of Economic Development in Des Moines to review, with company representatives, a “request for proposal” regarding the proposed DDCE project. NEDC worked with Mayor Gull, City Administrator Elizabeth Hansen and city staff in providing detailed information pertinent to the needs of the project. City officials responded immediately in determining infrastructure needs and how those needs could be accommodated. “We are thrilled with DuPont becoming our new industry and we are ready to provide them with the services that they need,” stated Mayor Jerry Gull.
Working in partnership with the City of Nevada, Nevada Economic Development Council developed an attractive incentive package for the proposed DDCE project. This past winter the City began annexation of the proposed property that adjoins the Lincolnway Energy facility with annexation completed in March.
The DDCE project would complement and further diversify the types of industry that will be attracted to the area, provide quality employment while also complementing our agricultural friends from within a wide area. Corn stover and cobs can now become another farm commodity for area growers, thus enriching the economic climate of the area.
Special recognition must be afforded to the Iowa Department of Economic Development Board, Iowa Power Fund Board and to Mark Laurenzo, IDED Project Manager for this project. They worked diligently to bring this project to Iowa. They are to be congratulated.
Nevada will welcome DDCE as a future new corporate citizen of the community and area.
Click here to view DDCE news release (PDF).
Article Published: 06-27-2011
