A Missouri ethanol plant is undergoing a $2 million expansion that will increase the plant’s capacity and provide a larger market for locally produced corn.

POET Biorefining – Laddonia was built in September 2006 with a capacity of 45 million gallons per year (MGPY), but it actually is producing almost 52 MGPY, according to General Manager Robin Venn. The expansion will add another 5 million gallons of capacity.

“The plant itself is running very efficiently,” Venn said. “It’s performing above and beyond expectations.”

The additional capacity will allow the plant to purchase another $3 million worth of corn per year at today’s prices, Venn said, boosting the local economy even as the country is facing difficult financial times.