Joplin rancher plans 200-acre ethanol plant

Pinjuv acquired the 2,064-acre property in December 2005. He has spent the past few months honing the plans for the industrial, commercial and residential development of the ranch.

According to Pinjuv’s preliminary studies, the ethanol plant would require approximately 200 acres, cost between $50 million and $60 million and create approximately 100 jobs.

The Wildwood’s location, Pinjuv said, makes it an attractive place for an ethanol plant. Pinjuv said his local engineers, Tri-State Engineering, referred him to an engineer in Kansas City who specializes in ethanol plants. That consultant supported the idea.

“He said this is one of the best sites in America for an ethanol plant,” Pinjuv said.

Pinjuv said plans for the plant could call for using steam from the nearby State Line Power Plant operated by Empire District Electric Co.

State and federal mandates are building demand for ethanol.

According to the Missouri Corn Growers Association, ethanol is a clean-burning, renewable fuel made from fermented agricultural products such as corn. Three plants in Missouri already produce ethanol and a fourth is under construction. A group in Barton County is developing plans for a $40 million to $50 million plant.

Jeff Wells is editor of Joplin Tri-State Business and can be reached at jwells@joplintsb.com. See JTB’s May 8 issue for more on Wildwood Ranch.