The GreenField Ethanol plant in Tiverton is seeing a major injection of cash from the federal government.
Huron Bruce MP Ben Lobb held a news conference Wednesday to announce up to 14 million dollars for the facility from the Eco Energy for Biofuels program.
Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb says the money will help keep the facility and the renewable fuels industry sustainable.
He says it’s an investment in local people and will help meet tougher fuel regulations that will soon take effect.
Lobb says supporting the ethanol industry will help Canada reach its goal of having five percent renewable fuel content in gasoline nationwide by next year. The five percent requirement for diesel takes effect in 2013.
The GreenField Plant at the Bruce Energy Centre produces 27 million litres of ethanol a year, using 2.7 million bushels of corn.
Lobb calls the fact that 50 percent of the corn the plant takes in comes from Bruce County farms is an excellent business model.
GreenField Vice President of Bulk Manufacturing, Marty Cormier, says they’re providing an opportunity for local farm families, and that’s something the community cherishes in difficult times.
The Tiverton plant employs 27 people and opened 20 years ago.
Similar funding announcements are being made for other ethanol production facilities across Canada.