Ethanol plant will go into production by the end of 2004 in Medina

Here's an interesting addition to NEO energy-related economic development, reported in Crain's Cleveland today - "Ethanol plant will go into production by the end of 2004 in Medina". Congratulations to Liquid Resources, CEO Tim Curtiss, and Sky Bank for making this happen here and now, where and when the need is so great! Be sure to read the comment posted below, featuring an eye-opening editorial from Tim.

Liquid Resources gets financing

A planned ethanol production plant will go into production
by the end of 2004 in Medina after completing a $700,000 bond issue.

Liquid Resources of Ohio LLC announced today that it has
raised the money through a partnership with Sky Bank.

The bank purchased bonds issued by the Ohio Air Quality
Development Authority, a state agency which finances projects to cut air
pollution and help energy efficiency. The authority then lent the proceeds to
Liquid Resources, which is using the money for equipment for its ethanol
factory in Medina.

“The proceeds of this financing will allow us to complete
the installation of our equipment here,� said Tim Curtiss, CEO and co-founder
of Liquid Resources. He said the plant will to produce up to six million gallons
of ethanol a year.

Officials at the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority were
not available for comment.

Liquid Resources also received a $500,000 USDA Rural
Businesses-Cooperative Services grant in August 2003.

Liquid Resources has five employees and will have a
permanent payroll of eight to 10 people when the plant opens, Mr. Curtiss said.
It will also use 10 to 20 temporary workers at any given time, he said.

“Every gallon of ethanol that’s blended with gasoline
displaces a gallon of gasoline that’s made from imported crude,� Mr. Curtiss
said. Blends of gasoline and ethanol also burn cleaner and produce less
pollution, he said.

Liquid Resources produces ethanol from liquid waste that has
sugar or alcohol in it, including expired and waste beer, soda and juice.

There are no plants producing ethanol in Ohio now, Mr.
Curtiss said.

By TOM JACKSON – Crain’s Cleveland - see article here [1]