On Friday, it was officially announced that Natural Innovative Renewable Energy (NIRE) will join several multi-million dollar businesses in the newly opened Roth Industrial Park in South Sioux City, Neb. Originally, NIRE had selected a site along the west side of Iowa Highway 12 south of 180th Street near Akron. This is the third major economic development loss the Akron community has had recently. First, Masaba Inc. announced their move to Vermillion, S.D. Next, Akron Riverview Corn Processors Inc. officials postponed building an ethanol plant, north of 180th Street in 2007, and now NIRE’s announcement. “Unfortunately, we lost it,” said Akron Development Corporation President Kevin Eekhoff in a phone interview. “It will save (NIRE) a lot of money in trucking,” said Eekhoff. “Plus, Akron doesn’t have a natural gas line large enough to supply the biodiesel plant. (NIRE officials) would have had to spend several million dollars to bring one from the Hawarden area.” “We hate to see it go elsewhere,” he said, “because I know some Akron people worked really hard to get it here and secure the land and so forth.” “I’m disappointed it won’t be built here,” said Eekhoff, “and we won’t have the 35 employees but I understand the reasoning why it’s going to be built where it’s going to be built.” “Akron is a small community and it makes it difficult to get businesses to come to a small community,” he said. “We are working an investor for the potential of a new hotel in town, and that’s based on whether Hyperion gets built or not.” Akron has a strong Akron Development Corporation whose members are active in the community, said Eekhoff, adding they look at projects monthly and are marketing two lots on Reed Street. “It’s pretty difficult because we are competing against the Vermillions, the Sioux Citys, the Le Mars’ that have more resources than we do in Akron,” he said. “We’ve had some opportunities, and some you pursue and some you don’t want to pursue.” “You can always tell the communities that are successful,” said Nebraska Department of Economic Development spokesperson Richard Baier, at a press conference with Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman and South Sioux City officials in Roth Industrial Park. “They have community assets in place to be successful over the long term and what you see today is another reflection of an asset that is going to be important for South Sioux City and that’s really the importance of having sites for future business and industrial opportunities.” “The excellent visibility here and the ease of access both to Nebraska Highway 77 and U.S. Interstate 29 make this an ideal location,” said Randy Lanning, chairman of South Sioux City Community Development Agency, adding that these projects will place increased emphasis on job training and education, and South Sioux City has a new joint campus with Wayne State College and Northeast Nebraska Community College. “The Roth Industrial Park is an ideal location with rail, water, sewer, electricity and fiber optics all in place,” said South Sioux City Mayor Bob Giese. “Having industrial zoned ground that is shovel ready made (these announcements) possible. The South Sioux City Community Development Agency should be recognized for their foresight.” “What we’re here about today isn’t about any of us, it’s about the opportunity this site, the businesses it will employ and the opportunities that will be created for our kids and grandkids… leaving a legacy for our kids and grandkids,” said Baier. Eldon and Regina Roth of Dakota Dunes who own Beef Products Inc. purchased the land for the industrial park, which sets just north of Tyson Meats between Dakota Avenue and Nebraska Highway 77 in South Sioux City. “It’s quite humbling and a little embarrassing,” said Regina Roth when city officials honored them by naming the industrial park after them. “We’re just trying to have a business, create something for our employees, and create something for our children. Truly I don’t know what to say but thank you, and I hope we always make you proud.” “Thank you for doing this for my family,” said Eldon Roth. Their $400 million donation opened the way for Nebraska and South Sioux City officials to entice several entities to the site. On Friday, there were groundbreaking ceremonies for 21st Century Grain Processing, Omega Industries, Peerless Energy Systems as well as the announcement of NIRE selecting a site in the park. The Roths moved their meat processing business to South Sioux City about 17 or 18 years ago after attending a convention and stopping at a booth labeled Nebraska. Omega Industries Inc., headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, expanded their facilities 10 years ago by constructing a site in South Sioux City. The 30- year old company also has facilities in Bakersfield, Calif., and Sherman,Texas. They are expanding their South Sioux City facility. 21st Century Grain Processing begin with a flour mill in New Mexico, then expanded to Texas, and now is in the food grade corn business making tortillas. In 2006, they purchased an oat processing company in South Sioux City, and they are undergoing a $10 million expansion of their coated grains line. This company supplied the land for a $3.2 million electric substation that serves the company and the industrial park. NIRE will be constructing a 60-million gallon biodiesel facility in the Roth Industrial Park, according to Jim Venner of Ag Visions, who made the announcement with Governor Heineman and Eldon Roth. “Biodiesel is a liquid renewable fuel made from agricultural derived fats and oils,” said Venner. “It’s extremely environmentally friendly.” “It is not ethanol,” he said. “We are definitely different. We are a diesel fuel replacement. The industry has expanded greatly the last 10 years and we are very proud to be a part of the expansion.” In addition, to biodiesel fuels, NIRE will produce 55 million pounds of glycerin, a product that is found in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, said Venner, adding the NIRE project has been a three-year development, and just six months ago, company offi cials began looking at South Sioux City. They will employ 35 people. Bratney Companies of Des Moines and Interstate Electric of Sioux Center will be constructing the facility. Assurety Financing and Development of North Dakota is the financial backer. NIRE Board of Directors includes John Lucken, former Akron councilman, who is NIRE’s chairman; Bob Frerichs, Akron councilman; and Harold Higman Jr., Akron mayor. Beef Products Inc. will be the primary feedstock source for the NIRE facility but biodiesel can be made from both animal fats and vegetable oils. “For all the good decisions you make, sometimes you make a bad one,” said Roth, explaining he’d considered the biodiesel industry four years ago on a trip to Germany and Austria. “The bad one I made is I didn’t go ahead and build it at that time.” In addition to Roth’s company, there are other feedstocks available for NIRE in the area. “It’s going to add to the price of live cattle again,” said Roth, adding NIRE is using the technology he had selected for his own biodiesel plans. “I think we’ll work together really well. They will do most of the work in getting this going. We can ride their coat tails.” “We’re looking forward to being everybody’s neighbor in South Sioux City,” said Venner. “I think we certainly have something to offer the community. Hopefully that this will be as successful of a project as (South Sioux City Economic Development Director) Dan McNamara and (South Sioux City Administrator) Lance Hedquist have brought here in the past. “We’re excited to have this biodiesel facility in our state,” said Governor Heineman. “It’s part of our ever-growing economy. Let me put it in perspective for you relative to ethanol. We’ve been very successful with ethanol in the last couple of years.” “We’ve become the No. 2 ethanol producer in America,” he said. “We’ve doubled the number of plants, tripled the capacity. That is now going to happen over the next few years with biodiesel.” “We want to be out in front in production,” said Heineman, “and that’s the opportunity we have here today…South Sioux City is the economic development capital of Nebraska.” “This is consummation of a long effort to develop a strategic partnership with the most outstanding tallow and one of the most outstanding entrepreneurs, Eldon Roth and BPI,” said Lucken after NIRE officials witnessed their name being added to the list of those entities in the Roth Industrial Park. “This is like the top of the Eiffel Tower. It’s that good.” “The synergies are here and the city of South Sioux City has been great to work with,” he said, “and we’re looking forward to building this plant. We plan to break ground as soon as we can. We sure hope to do that in the not too distant future. I’ve been dreaming about this for months.” “This wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t have another source and the ability to be a multi-feedstock plant,” said Lucken. “Actually the project has gone through lots of transitions over a period of time. We’ve reacted to what the market conditions are and what’s required to go ahead with a viable and economic plant.”

The 2009 River-Cade Royalty was announced Saturday, July 19, during the annual coronation ceremony held at the Sioux City Convention Center. Since 1964, the Port of Sioux City River-Cade Association has awarded over $200,000 in scholarship money to eligible college age women. After a five year absence, two princesses were selected to serve alongside the queen for 2009. The three women chosen will serve as ambassadors for the River-Cade festival beginning July 21, 2008 and will conclude their reign at the end of the 2009 festival. Three judges interviewed the 25 contestants last week and also watched each woman present a prepared “commercial” about the River-Cade festival. The candidates also participated in the parade and other River-Cade events. The 2009 Royalty is Sara Gaukel, of Sergeant Bluff, a freshman it Iowa State University, Sarah Thiele, of Sioux City, an ISU junior and Queen Cayla Westergard, of Ireton, an ISU senior.

by Hank Krause

The Akron-Westfield girls lost a tough battle to the eventual state champion North Polk of Alleman 3-1 at Fort Dodge on Friday, July 18. It’s been stated the football is a game of inches. Well this game was a game of inches or “what ifs.” What if Jessica Horton could have made the catch on the left field line. Or, what if Brandi Davis’ hit to right center would have gotten through except for a circus catch by NP’s eighth grader, Miranda Schouten. What a great game played by both teams and what great pitching performances by A-W’s Kayla Smith and NP’s Sammy Snygg. Both teams definitely left it on the field. North Polk started out quickly as a very pesky Casi Christensen doubled to open the game and later scored on another double to go up 1-0. The fourth inning had things looking up for A-W. Alison Kusler opened with a single, Smith and Horton singled and Karly Groon followed suit. Kusler scored easily but the outfielder made a good throw to the plate to get Tasha Johnson who was running for Smith. At this point I thought we were going to do it but not this time. In the bottom of the fourth Wintz got on by an error, then Emily Corely, the rather hefty first sacker, hit a shot over the left field fence to make it 3-1 North Polk. In the same inning Caitlin Heyl made an unbelievable stop of a line drive that may have led to some damage. That’s the way it stood and it ended. A-W  had a fantastic year by having a 37-5 record and going to state for the sixth consecutive year. Five seniors depart the Westerners to go on to other ventures. Ambra Coon is going to Briar Cliff University and will play softball; Jessica Horton is going to Briar Cliff and will play softball; Haley Banks is going to Morningside College; Shelby Johnson travels to Northwestern to play both basketball and softball and Kayla Smith is also going to Morningside to play softball. They will be missed. However, there are a few things to look forward to. There are a ton of young kids who are anxious to show their abilities. With Todd Colt and Kent Johnson at the helm, I think A-W will be well represented. Snygg, who is going to Creighton University on a softball scholarship, is a very good pitcher, but she isn’t any better than Kayla Smith and I’m convinced that Smith is better. Smith was short changed by the home plate umpire who refused to give her the outside corner. I was sitting behind home plate and being an “old umpire” with a “bionic eye” I know what I saw. He missed the outside strike consistently. At least he was consistent. NP out hit A-W 7-6 and A-W left five runners hung up. The year ended up with a 17-1 record in conference plus another conference title. Smith goes into the Hall of Fame with 106 wins and only 10 losses. Smith and Horton both made the All- ournament team which is great, but Shelby Johnson should have also been on the team. There is not a better catcher in the conference or Northwest Iowa. She did make the All-Star Team which plays later this summer. But who am I? Just a little peon in a small town with an outstanding weekly paper!