Shelbyville lands ethanol plant

The world’s largest ethanol producer has chosen Shelbyville for its newest bio-fuel facility.

POET, LLC announced that it will build a $160 million ethanol production plant in the city. The company says that 45 full-time jobs will be created, along with 275 temporary construction jobs. Hiring for full-time positions will begin in spring of 2019.

When brought online in spring 2020, officials say the plant will produce 80 million gallons of ethanol a year. That ethanol will be the result of $110 million worth of corn purchased from farmers within a 30-mile radius. The plant will feature environmental controls that eliminate discharge of processing water.

“POET’s project provides jobs right here in Shelby County, but its indirect effects will extent well beyond that,” said Brian Asher, executive director of Shelby County Development Corp. “This boosts income for farmers, expands the tax base and circulates new dollars across the state economy.”

The site, at County Road 300 North and Tom Hession Drive, is west of Indiana Grand Racing & Casino and approximately one mile southwest of Interstate 74. Shelbyville is annexing the site.