Golden Grain Energy LLC (GGE) began production in December 2004 and is a locally owned ethanol producer with about 900 unitholders. Based just outside of Mason City, Iowa, it started as a 40 million gallon per year ethanol plant and in 2007, an expansion project doubled production. Today, GGE produces over 120 million gallons of ethanol a year.
Their mission statement; “Add value to the corn production of the area and enhance the incomes of our investor partners while providing economic growth to the area we serve” serves as their guiding principle. To this end, they have contributed over $2.1 billion for corn since they began production and have paid over $45 million in wages and benefits. Everyone involved with the company, from the employees, to the management team and board members are very proud of the positive impact that the plant has on the surrounding communities. The Board of Directors takes a proactive approach to expanding GGE’s production but also realize how important it is to grow our ethanol and co-product markets nationally as well as globally.
Since production began in 2004, their employees have worked 1,214,323 hours, and last year, processed just under 42 million bushels of corn. GGE takes pride in its employees because without them, GGE wouldn’t be the industry leader it is today.
Asked about why they became a part of the Growth Energy family, Chairman and Director of Golden Grain Energy LLC Dave Sovereign stated;