Biorefinery could be coming to Newton
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In these tough economic times, the prospect of more jobs in Jasper County, no matter how few, is good news for county officials. The Jasper County Board of Supervisors received a bit of good news at Tuesday’s meeting.
Jasper County Economic Development Corp. director Craig Hamilton told the supervisors Tuesday that Elevance Renewable Sciences Inc. of Bolingbrook, Ill., plans to build a 2.6 million gallon per year demonstration-scale integrated biorefinery at the Central Iowa Energy’s biodiesel plant in Newton. The biorefinery will convert renewable raw materials into value-added products, such as cosmetics and jet fuels.
It is anticipated that Iowa will benefit from the biorefinery by becoming a developmental home for commercializing Nobel Prize-winning technology and provide the basis for additional research at the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University and the Center for Biorenewable Chemicals, and the Department of Energy’s Ames lab. If the demonstration-scale project is successful, it could be replicated on a larger scale in biodiesel facilities in Iowa.
Construction of the facility will require hiring 40 to 50 temporary design engineers and construction workers and approximately seven full-time employees. Currently, there are seven existing bio refineries in Iowa, with capacity greater than 30 million gallons per year, employing 175 to 200 people.
Elevance has applied for an $800,000 grant from the Iowa Department of Economic Development, and the application requires local sponsorship, but no cash match from either the City of Newton or Jasper County. The supervisors gave approval to the plan Tuesday.
In other action Tuesday, the supervisors:
• Approved Congregate Meals application for funding from Aging Resources of Central Iowa for $112,000 for the contract period from July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2012. Supervisor John Parsons said he would like to see increased funding to Jasper County from Aging Resources.
“We can’t operate this program without government help, but they establish all the rules,” Parsons said. “If things don’t change, I don’t see how we can continue.”
Congregate meals cost the county $6.25 per meal, yet the average donation from those who use the program is only about $1.50. Parsons said Congregate Meals Director Jean Morgan was doing a good job of keeping costs down, but donations are not keeping pace with the county’s costs, Parsons said.
• Approved resolutions to rename two bridges in Jasper County after Civil War veterans. The project, originally proposed by the Sons of Union Veterans, had proposed naming the bridge on Highway 6 over the North Skunk River for Brigadier General James Williamson and the bridge over the South Skunk River on Highway F48 for Brigadier General Charles L. Matthies.
Local historian Larry Hurto suggested that there were other Civil War veterans that were more pertinent to the area for which the bridges could be named. Officials with the Sons of Union Veterans, however, wanted no part of any substitution of veterans, and withdrew from the project. After working out details with the Iowa Department of Transportation, the supervisors gave approval to naming the bridges after General James Wilson (North Skunk), and General James B. Weaver (South Skunk).
Hurto said he would probably be paying for the signs, a cost of about $400, from his own pocket, but welcomed donations. He anticipated a dedication ceremony in the spring.
• Approved the use of the courthouse lawn for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis on Saturday, Nov. 28. Robyn Friedman told the supervisors that the event will feature a two-mile walk, a two-mile run, a five-mile run and kid’s fun run on the sidewalks around the square.
• Following the meeting Tuesday, the supervisors held a special canvass of the Nov. 3 election results for the Sully City Council.
With three positions to be filled on the Sully City Council and only two names on the ballot, one position was to be determined by write-in vote. After the canvass on Nov. 10, the winner of the third city council seat was determined to be Bob Nikkel with four write-in votes. However, Nikkel declined the office, which then went to the next-highest vote-getter in the write-in contest.
The next highest vote ended in a five-person tie between Mike Jansen, Craig Maasdam, Beryl Dunsbergen, Teryl Ver Ploeg and Arlyn Vander Leest. Each name was placed plastic boxes of equal size, and drawn from a box. Craig Maasdam’s name was drawn. Maasdam has the opportunity to decline the office as well. If he declines, the position will be declared vacant, and the Sully City Council will decide whether to appoint someone to fill the vacancy or to call a special election.
John Jennings can be contacted at 792-3121 ext. 425 or via e-mail at jjennings@newtondailynews.com.
