Press Release              Event Date:  June 11, 2018

For further information contact Mary Chrastil, 260-982-0672 nmhistory@cinergymetro.net

Historical Society Hosts Program on Poet Biorefining

On Monday, June 11, the Historical Society’s monthly program will mark the tenth anniversary of Poet Biorefining’s presence in North Manchester.   The program will feature Steve Pittman of Poet giving a virtual “tour” of the state-of-the-art plant.  The program will be held in the Assembly Room at Timbercrest Retirement Center, 2201 East Street, at 6:30 p.m.  It is open to the public at no cost and will be enjoyable for audiences of all ages. 

Poet Biorefining opened in North Manchester in September, 2008.  The plant requires 24 million bushels of corn per year, and produces 68 million gallons of ethanol, as well as

178,000 tons of Dakota Gold high-nutrition livestock feed, which is sold to regional, national and international markets, and Viola feed grade corn oil. 

Ethanol is a clean-burning high-octane fuel that is produced domestically from renewable sources, helping reduce America’s dependence on imported oil.  By eliminating the energy-intensive step of “cooking” during the milling process and instead using enzymes to convert starch to sugar, Poet produces ethanol and other marketable by-products in an earth-friendly and cost effective manner.  They employ approximately 40 people and claim to enhance the local economy with improved corn prices, value-added markets for farmers, good-paying jobs, and increased local tax revenue.

Poet declares its mission is to be good stewards of the Earth by converting renewable resources to energy and other valuable goods as effectively as humanly possible.  “Our vision is to live in a world with natural balance. Where we no longer take from the Earth, but rather use its enormous ability to regenerate…Where farmers are the creators, and innovators are the heroes. Where we use the resources given to us in ways we believe God intended.”

Ethanol plants are changing the agricultural landscape.  How has having Poet in Wabash County affected your life?  Join us, and let us know.