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ITEM~~ 7 . <br />cty <br />E <br />Kiver <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Economic Development Authority <br />FROM: Catherine Mehelich, Director of Economic <br />DATE: May 14, 2007 <br />Development <br />SUBJECT: Proposed GRE Elk River Renewable Fuels Facility <br />Attachment <br />• "Minnesota Spending Bill, with BioFuels Provisions, Becomes Law" <br />Background <br />At its March 12, 2007 meeting the EDA was made aware that Great River Energy (GRE) <br />was pursuing legislative action for an appropriation from the State of MN to support <br />development cost for a proposed RDF-to-Methanol project. GRE staff notified staff of the <br />request with regard to the EDA's support and willingness to serve as fiscal agent under <br />proposed language in a Dept of Agriculture appropriations bill. <br />The proposed facility would used to convert refuse (garbage) to methanol for use in bio- <br />diesel production facilities. The facility would be located on the Elk River GRE campus site <br />and would be required to undergo all necessary planning and building plan review and <br />approvals prior to proceeding. <br />Uadate <br />GRE staff recently notified staff that the Governor signed the Omnibus spending bill this <br />week that contained the $200,000 from the state general fund to the Elk River Economic <br />Development Authority to be provided as apass-through grant to GRE for the evaluation <br />of the RDF to methanol project. <br />GRE is currently in the evaluation phase to determine if this project makes sense both <br />technically and economically. They are hopeful that within the next month to be to the <br />point of making an internal decision on whether or not to proceed with the project. <br />This item is for information purposes as no EDA action is necessary at this time. <br />