PLYMOUTH ENERGY, LLC
Whiting has been chosen as the site for a new 100 million gallon
ethanol plant being built by Plymouth Energy, LLC out of Merrill.
In a public hearing held on Tuesday, December 19 at the Monona County
Courthouse, the zoning commission made a recommendation to the Board of
Supervisors to approve the rezoning of the property where the plant
will be located from agriculture to heavy industrial. The
recommendation was approved in a resolution that states the rezoning
will take place at the time the land ownership is officially
transferred.
A separate public hearing was held the same day to approve road
closures required by Union Pacific Railroad to approve rail
construction and service the plant. The road closures would
include the crossings at county road 155 and 173 north of Whiting in
Lake Twnshp. An additional closure would also be required at a
private crossing between the two county roads. Area property
owners showed up to voice concerns about access to their properties if
the closures are approved. A consensus of those in
attendance and the Supervisors was reached to submit a request that one
of the crossings be left open when not being used by the rail until a
bridge is replaced that will allow alternate routes for local property
owners. If UPRR does not accept, the Supervisors will approve
closures as originally required by UP to accommodate the plant
construction.
Monona County Economic Development Director will be working with the
City of Whiting to obtain funding to replace the bridge and make it
safe for farmers, machinery and grain trucks to pass over it.