US BioEnergy Corporation this week celebrated the grand opening of the company’s newest ethanol plant in Ord, Nebraska.

Nebraska Governor and current Chairman of the Governor’s Ethanol Coalition Dave Heineman joined US BioEnergy CEO Gordon Ommen, Ord Mayor Randy O’Brien and other local and industry dignitaries for the ceremony on Wednesday.

“The reality for communities from coast to coast to benefit from ethanol is here,” Gov. Heineman said. “Ethanol production is one of the major drivers of economic activity in small communities across our state, and I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to see this plant up and running.”

US Bio Ord, which began operations in May 2007, is expected to produce approximately 50 million gallons of ethanol and 275,000 tons of modified wet distillers grains per year.

“As we celebrate the grand opening of US Bio Ord, I am pleased to reflect on the success of our company’s growth,” commented Gordon Ommen, CEO of US BioEnergy. “We are thrilled to be a member of the Ord community with a shared vision of energy independence and economic vitality.”

This is the fourth plant for US BioEnergy, the second in Nebraska – the other is US Bio Platte Valley, a 100 million gallon per year facility located in Central City.