Download the Swift Bioenergy Brochure.

Why Swift County for Bioenergy
Current Bioenergy Applications

A LEADER IN BIOENERGY

 A better place to do business, a better place to live, and a place that provides ample resources for bioenergy. Bioenergy companies in Swift County enjoy support from the private sector as well as commitment from public agencies, including Cities, the County, University of Minnesota and Minnesota State College system. Visit Swift County and see what it has to offer.

With its numerous Bioenergy systems, including ethanol production and biomass gasifier, as well as the United States first poultry litter-fueled biomass power plant— Swift County produces enough watts of bioenergy to power 40,000 households. Add to that, local business collaboration with an adjacent university devoted to energy efficiency in both its curriculum and operations, as well as the abundance of native renewable resources, and the result is a region positioned as a leader in the bioenergy initiative!Swift County is ideally positioned to capture strategic opportunities presented by bioenergy. The expertise of individuals and research organizations that already exist in Swift County and our region, are greatly facilitating the development of a regional Bioenergy Beltway. With distinctive energy resources and regional assets, Swift County has a definite market advantage in the bioenergy marketplace, and significant opportunities for the application and implementation of bioenergy technologies present themselves in Swift County’s industrial base of Agriculture, transportation, and manufacturing.

CITY OF BENSON SUPPORT

Benson is a friendly, progressive, entrepreneurial community located at the crossroads of three major highways. Residents enjoy the quality of life that a small town provides with a modern technology available at their fingertips. Home to one of the finest 18-hole golf courses, unlimited hunting and outdoor recreation combined with a knowledgeable, pro-active business community makes Benson an ideal destination to expand or start your bioenergy business and raise a family. Already a hub of bioenergy industry, Benson is eager to assist you.

UNIVERSITY AND R&D SUPPORT

Bioenergy businesses in Swift County benefit from an advanced network of experts dedicated to accelerate the adaptation and implementation of your bioenergy technologies. University of Minnesota Morris, Agriculture Utilization Research Institute (AURI), West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC), Southwest Initiative Foundation, the State of Minnesota, and many more. Innovation that’s local with world-class assistance along the way.

“The addition of two more wind turbines and one steam turbine combined with the biomass plant/gasification system currently under construction on our campus enhances UMM’s stewardship of the environment….And these new resources provide even more opportunities for our undergraduate students to engage directly in real world, high impact research and internships.”

-University of Minnesota Morris Chancellor, Jacqueline Johnson

“The University of Minnesota Morris continues to lead the University system—and higher education nationally—on issues of sustainability and renewable energy use. Achieving energy independence by 2010 is a phenomenal goal, but more importantly the data and information gathered along the way will help inform other hybrid renewable energy initiatives across the state and nation.” University of

- University of Minnesota President, Robert Bruininks

WHY SWIFT COUNTY FOR BIOENERGY

Bioenergy companies located in our region enjoy such advantages as:

• Ample, affordable real estate for business and employees.
• Easy public access to numerous world-class installations of Bioenergy systems.
• Enterprise Zone that includes tax exemptions for companies on income, capital gains, sales, property, wind production and an employment credit for high paying jobs
• Excellent Biomass resources from the area’s agriculture base.
• Unmatched quality of life with 4—seasons of recreation and outdoor activities, scenic surroundings, and hassle-free commutes.
• Close proximity to first-rate higher education opportunities, including University of Minnesota.

CURRENT BIOENERGY APPLICATION

Chippewa Valley Ethanol Coop – Benson
CVEC is a 46 MM gpy ethanol plant that has established a reputation for operating efficiency and policy leadership since its beginning in 1996 . Cooperatively owned by 975 members, most within a 50 mile radius of Benson., CVEC is also known for its unique products like Shakers Vodka.. CVEC is currently working with Frontline BioEnergy to integrate biomass gasification technology to provide thermal energy for its corn ethanol process. When complete CVEC will have replaced over 90% of its natural gas energy inputs with biomass power from corn cobs and other agriculture residues, grasses and wood.

Fibrominn – Benson
The nation’s first poultry litter-fueled power plant opened in Benson in 2007. Utilizing more than 500,000 tons of turkey litter as well as other biomass, Fibrominn produces 55-megawatts, or enough electricity to serve 40,000 homes. A majority of Fibrominn’s fuel comes from Minnesota’s turkey farmers, and combustion ash is brought by conveyor to North American Fertilizer and produced into fertilizer.

Econar – Appleton
Minnesota’s cold climate resources have driven the design of ECONAR’s heating and cooling equipment for two decades, thus making ECONAR the leader in cold climate heat pump technology and North America’s only ColdClimate geothermal heat pump manufacturer. ECONAR’s manufacturing plant is at home in Appleton where a new expanded facility has been constructed.

East Dublin Dairy – Rural Swift County
Currently separating manure and exploring possibilities for an anaerobic digester, East Dublin Dairy in rural Swift County is one of Minnesota’s largest dairies with over 5,000 milking cows.

KMS Elementary School – Murdock
In July 2008 Kerhoven-Murdock-Sunburg School District won a state grant to install a biomass heating system in the Murdock elementary school. Plans are to utilize fuels obtained regionally like corn cobs and wood.

Swift Winds LLC – Rural Swift County
Swift Winds LLC is a 42 Megawatt wind energy project conceived by Swift County community members. A community-based project, Swift Winds is just an example of the forward looking-minded citizens that make up Swift County and are eager to support alternative energy.