Patriot Renewable Fuels celebrated their five year anniversary today and dozens of community members, legislators, employees and those from the ethanol industry were on hand for the celebration. With fierce attacks from ethanol detractors on the corn-based ethanol industry, the celebration was proof that the ethanol industry is standing firm.

Bob Dinneen, RFA president and CEO attended the celebration touting the five year milestone. “Today is truly a day of celebration for everyone involved in Patriot Renewable Fuels,” said Dinneen to the crowd gathered at the plant for the celebration. “It is often said that the first year of business is always the hardest. It is truly an accomplishment that you have long passed the first year and have reached the five year anniversary. There have been times of prosperity and times of drought, but as a company you have shown perseverance, dedication and hard work. Today is a day to celebrate and enjoy the fruits of your labor.”

Patriot Renewable Fuels is located in Annawan, Illinois and employs 55 full time employees at a plant that produces 110 million gallons of ethanol and 300,000 tons of DDGS per year. Over the past few weeks, plant partners have been congratulating the bioenergy plant on five years of success and wished them success for many more years.

“The last five years in business has been both challenging and uniquely rewarding. I have seen the company grow and thrive from an idea into reality,” said Patriot Renewable Fuels’ CEO and co-founder Gene Griffith. “I am proud of the positive impact we have had on our country, creating jobs, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, and revitalizing our rural community. It is my hope that the next five years will be as rewarding as the last.”