Developer expands plant

Despite delays in fund-raising, a mid-Missouri developer says his proposed ethanol plant along Nash Road is still in the works.

Phil Danforth, general manager of Renewable Power of Missouri, based in Marshall, Mo., said the delay in constructing the plant comes from an expansion in the scope of the operation. In 2003, Danforth proposed a plant that would produce 50 million gallons of ethanol a year. Now Danforth says the plans are for a 100 million-gallon plant, meaning he needs to raise funds for a project he says will "cost in the neighborhood of $200 million." The 50 million-gallon plant was slated to cost $58 million.

Danforth said he also has a 50 million-gallon plant in the final stages of funding-raising near Marshall.

In November 2003, the Cape Girardeau County Industrial Development Authority approved the issuance of up to $250 million in tax-free revenue bonds for the project. Authority vice president Jerry Lorberg said the offer stood for only six months, and if Danforth wishes to secure the funding again he will have to submit a new proposal to the group.

The plant was the first proposed for Cape Girardeau County. Two other plants are in fund-raising and development stages in Scott County, with a third group rumored to be looking to develop another plant there.

Officials in Scott County see the plants as an economic boom in the near future. Throughout the United States increased demand for ethanol caused by state and federal mandates will create an estimated 26 percent increase in corn production in Missouri this year, according to USDA estimates released Friday.

The USDA said Missouri farmers will plant 3.4 million acres of corn, while U.S. growers will plant 90.5 million acres, the highest amount since 1944.

Danforth said he's aware of other plants planned for the area, and he thinks the competition could make it hard for some to get investors.

Danforth's plan originally included a 20-megawatt power plant that would generate fuel from Cape Girardeau garbage. Danforth said that plan has been scrapped in favor of the larger ethanol plant.

Last year Danforth said he expected construction on the plant to begin that summer. Now he says construction could begin as early as late spring or early summer.

Danforth said he has an option to purchase land from the Cape Area Magnet. Magnet director Mitch Robinson did not return calls to confirm that Friday afternoon.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182