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Chief Ethanol celebrates 25 years




(11/23/2009) By Anthony Pura - When it was built it made history. 25 years later it is still standing strong. Chief Ethanol Fuels in Hastings is celebrating a major milestone.

Chief Ethanol Fuels was the first ethanol plant in Nebraska. When it started out 25 years ago it was a pioneer in the industry.
And Monday was not just a celebration for the success of the company, it was a celebration for the success of the ethanol industry.

Twenty–five years ago the plant did not look like this. Those grain bins and that tower are imprints of success, growth and dedication to the product.

"We believe in the ethanol, we believe in the industry and what it can do for agriculture and the whole United States," said Plant Manager Duane Kristensen.

The plant started producing 10 million gallons of ethanol a year, now its up to 70 million.
Those are improvements the company credits to smart decision making and excellent staff.

"We have had some of the best employees out here since the day it was built so we have people with a lot of experience," said Bob Eihusen, Chief Industries.

And throughout its time, the ethanol experience has been interesting. The industry has swung up and down being part of a larger company, Chief Industries has helped. Because it is involved in many production sectors profits are steady.

"Being part of the Chief Industries there are years when ethanol has not done well, but it would so happen that in those years that many in the grain bin industry would do well or housing would do well," said Eihusen.

This year, the ethanol market is not too bad.

"There has been some pretty good times in the industry and some very tough times this plant has ran consistently through its 25 years," said Kristensen.

And in those 25 years, it has helped local agriculture.

"They will have the whole of Adams County, Clay County, and Nuckolls County that they are taking care of and accepting grain from, they are just really a vital cog in what is going in agriculture all these years," Hastings Chamber of Commerce President Tom Hastings.

And in the upcoming years company officials said Chief Ethanol Fuels and ethanol itself will continue to play a larger role in the country's fuel source.

"What is great about ethanol is that it is so much different than the other products we do and other products we make so it keeps you on your toes," Eihusen said.

On their toes and on their way to a hopeful future.

Senator Ben Nelson who has been a top supporter of ethanol said in the near future it, it has the potential to replace oil and petroleum as the main source of energy.

Attached Files: 1123chief.jpg 


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