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Plans are in the works to bring a fuel ethanol plant to the Bruce ECO Industrial Park (former Bruce Energy Centre).

In committee-of-the-whole last Wednesday night, Kincardine council accepted a report from chief building official Michele Barr, outlining the need to enlarge one lot to accommodate the proposed industry.

The draft plan is slated to be registered on title this week.

Kincardine council will discuss the bylaw at its Nov. 1 meeting and it will go to Bruce County council for approval that same week.

Allen Wickert of Canadian Agra, president of the industrial park, told council that there is urgency in making this lot available so the prospective buyer, India Breweries, can start the process to bring the fuel ethanol plant to the area.

He apologized if his requests were aggressive, “but that’s my job.”

Councillor Maureen Couture suggested adding a clause to the proposed bylaw that states it comes into full force and effect once the draft plan is registered.

However, Barr said no draft bylaw has been drawn up; it will be available at the Nov. 1 meeting.

“We are dealing with this on an emergency basis,” said chief administrative officer John deRosenroll. “We were told the county will not consider it if it is not registered. We want to work with Canadian Agra to attract a company like India Breweries.”

“We need assurances that Bruce County planning will consider this application if we get it to them by the first week of November,” said councillor Howard Ribey.

Barr said a preliminary package is going to the county by the end of October and the bylaw will follow after the Nov. 1 Kincardine council meeting; it will then go to the county’s agriculture, tourism and planning (ATP) committee meeting for discussion.

Council approved a motion, supporting the draft plan and the proposed development.

Wickert told The Independent that India Breweries, which is based in India but has offices throughout North America, wants to purchase Lot 2 but requires the additional 6.5 acres to the west (enlargement of the lot) to make the fuel ethanol plant a viable operation. Lot 2 is located between Bi-Ax and the Bruce Skills Technology Training Centre in the industrial park.

“India Breweries is one of the largest producers of potable alcohol in the world,” said Wickert, adding that this plant would be producing about 200 million litres per year, bringing about 200 full-time jobs to the area, and opening a new market for corn producers.

It is also a nice fit in the ECO park with its vision for green and renewable energy sources, he said, and down the road the company expects to bring rail service back to the energy park.

The plant will take about 18 to 40 months, from planning through to construction and operation, said Wickert. “I met Thursday with county council and was well received.”

Fuel ethanol plant in works for ECO park
Would bring 200 jobs to the area By Liz Dadson Plans are in the works to bring a fuel ethanol plant to the Bruce ECO Industrial Park (former Bruce Energy Centre). In committee-of-the-whole last Wednesday night, Kincardine council accepted a report from chief building official Michele Barr, outlining the need to enlarge one lot to accommodate the proposed industry. The draft plan is slated to be registered on title this week. Kincardine council will discuss the bylaw at its Nov. 1 meeting and it will go to Bruce County council for approval that same week. Allen Wickert of Canadian Agra, president of the industrial park, told council that there is urgency in making this lot available so the prospective buyer, India Breweries, can start the process to bring the fuel ethanol plant to the area. He apologized if his requests were aggressive, “but that’s my job.” Councillor Maureen Couture suggested adding a clause to the proposed bylaw that states it comes into full force and effect once the draft plan is registered. However, Barr said no draft bylaw has been drawn up; it will be available at the Nov. 1 meeting. “We are dealing with this on an emergency basis,” said chief administrative officer John deRosenroll. “We were told the county will not consider it if it is not registered. We want to work with Canadian Agra to attract a company like India Breweries.” “We need assurances that Bruce County planning will consider this application if we get it to them by the first week of November,” said councillor Howard Ribey. Barr said a preliminary package is going to the county by the end of October and the bylaw will follow after the Nov. 1 Kincardine council meeting; it will then go to the county’s agriculture, tourism and planning (ATP) committee meeting for discussion. Council approved a motion, supporting the draft plan and the proposed development. Wickert told The Independent that India Breweries, which is based in India but has offices throughout North America, wants to purchase Lot 2 but requires the additional 6.5 acres to the west (enlargement of the lot) to make the fuel ethanol plant a viable operation. Lot 2 is located between Bi-Ax and the Bruce Skills Technology Training Centre in the industrial park. “India Breweries is one of the largest producers of potable alcohol in the world,” said Wickert, adding that this plant would be producing about 200 million litres per year, bringing about 200 full-time jobs to the area, and opening a new market for corn producers. It is also a nice fit in the ECO park with its vision for green and renewable energy sources, he said, and down the road the company expects to bring rail service back to the energy park. The plant will take about 18 to 40 months, from planning through to construction and operation, said Wickert. “I met Thursday with county council and was well received.”

Fuel ethanol plant in works for ECO park