Infographic illustrates ethanol's state-by-state impact on job

By Renewable Fuels Association | February 22, 2013

The Renewable Fuels Association has released a state-by-state update to the “Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the Economy of the United States,” an economic impact analysis performed by Cardno ENTRIX. The original report, released earlier this month at RFA’s National Ethanol Conference, found that the industry has supported over 383,000 direct and indirect and induced jobs across all sectors of the economy last year. The industry contributed $43.3 billion to GDP and $30.2 billion in household income.

Commenting on the state-by-state breakout, Bob Dinneen, RFA’s president and CEO, said, “It is clear that the ethanol industry is a powerful economic driver. We are successfully creating job and economic opportunities in a tough economy. Not only are we helping revitalize rural communities across this country, we are positively impacting states outside of the Corn Belt. We are building ethanol refineries and hiring staff for newly operational plants across this nation. We are becoming an economic engine coast to coast, border to border. This economic momentum should not be jeopardized by tampering with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The RFS is a proven success when it comes to creating jobs, increasing American energy independence, and improving the environment. Don’t mess with the RFS.”

The top ten states experiencing the economic benefits of having ethanol plants operating locally are:

State Jobs (Direct, indirect, induced)

Iowa 63,532

Illinois 54,083

Nebraska 48,402

Minnesota 34,784

Indiana 25,350

South Dakota 22,970

Wisconsin 15,591

Ohio 15,167

Kansas 13,043

North Dakota 7,810