VeraSun Energy owns 16 ethanol production facilities in eight states, but only fourteen are operational, with plants in Janesville and Welcome still under construction.

And with VeraSun filing for bankruptcy, the opening of those plants will be delayed indefinitely.  Construction of the ethanol bio-refinery in Janesville began in January of 2007, originally as a US Bioenergy plant.  After their merger with VeraSun last April, construction continued and the plant is almost completed.

With the VeraSun announcement, the town expects to be a little empty once construction is completed.  Corey Schwanke says, "Everybody was talking about it. More, different people coming to town. So I think it would be good for the community to have, but now it just sits there. Which is not good."

VeraSun filed for bankruptcy in order to continue production and make payroll, including a $215 million loan from Mankato-based AgStar Financial.  The Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection was filed in Delaware, and VeraSun will seek out other lenders to get a total of $250 million in financing.

But as far as Janesville is concerned, officials say you can't lose something you never had.  Janesville Mayor Alvin Grams says, "As far as the city itself, as far as any tax ramifications, you know, we don't supply them with anything, you know, we don't really. We don't have a horse in that race."

Of course, if the plant ever does open up, Janesville will have something to gain.  But until VeraSun rights itself financially, this 110 million gallon per year facility will have to stand still.