Senator Kahn offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 93.

            A resolution to recognize Liberty Renewable Fuels, LLC, for its effort in building Michigan’s largest ethanol plant in Ithaca, Michigan.

            Whereas, Liberty Renewable Fuels was established in June 2006 to construct a 110-million-gallon ethanol facility to address the need for clean, renewable fuels to drive both energy independence and to help fuel Michigan’s economic recovery; and

            Whereas, Liberty Renewable Fuels purchased 435 acres in North Star Township, adjacent to the city of Ithaca in Gratiot County to construct the facility. The project is currently under construction. Foundations for the fermentation tanks are almost complete and the railroad spur from the Great Lakes Central Railroad is being laid. Ethanol production is estimated to begin in the fall of 2008; and

            Whereas, Michigan is facing significant economic challenges that make this renewable fuels project a huge opportunity for the Ithaca community and Gratiot County, providing approximately 50 permanent jobs, 75 spin-off jobs, and $100,000 annually to the Ithaca Public Schools' bonded indebtedness. This project also is expected to lower the county’s unemployment rate by .6 percent; and

            Whereas, Liberty Renewable Fuels is designed to positively impact many counties in Michigan in a number of ways, including partnerships with 11 elevator facilities to help procure 40 million bushels of Michigan-grown corn from the Brown Milling Company in Rosebush, Delwin, and Shephard; Auburn Bean and Grain in Auburn, Saginaw, Oakley, and Hemlock; and Cooperative Elevator Company in Pigeon, Elkton, Ruth, and Akron; along with Zeeland Farm Services in Zeeland to market 350,000 tons of distillers grains annually; and

            Whereas, Liberty Renewable Fuels became Security Exchange Commission (SEC)-effective on June 7, 2007, to allow for public investment and ownership. Liberty is the only ethanol plant in the state of Michigan to accomplish this. Michigan investment and ownership means keeping the profits made from the production of this value-added agriculture facility right here in Michigan. Liberty Renewable Fuels is conducting a public offering for ownership units to residents in approved states, with Michigan being the main focus and the location of more than 75 informational meetings across the state; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we recognize Liberty Renewable Fuels as the only Michigan ethanol plant to conduct an SEC ethanol public investment opportunity. We encourage all Michigan residents to learn about this company and the benefits of renewable fuels on the state’s economy. We should appreciate the unique significance and value of companies like Liberty Renewable Fuels in their aim to create a Michigan-owned ethanol production company and to recognize its economic value to our state’s economy; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Michigan House of Representatives, the Ithaca City Council, the Gratiot County Board of Commissioners, and the Liberty Renewable Fuels Board of Directors.