Hankinson ethanol plant to start production next month Eds: APNewsNow.

HANKINSON, N.D. (AP) The VeraSun Energy ethanol plant in Hankinson is getting ready to start production next month.

The 100-million-gallon plant has been under construction for more than a year.

VeraSun Energy's president and chief financial officer, Danny Herron, met with workers at the plant late last week.

The plant started as US BioHankinson, but it became VeraSun Energy when South Dakota-based VeraSun and US BioEnergy merged late last year.

Herron said the merger between US BioEnergy and VeraSun Energy was a good marriage. He said the companies worked with similar management styles and homegrown values.

Gov. John Hoeven met with about 55 workers, almost half of whom had worked for Imation, which is closing its floppy diskette plant in Wahpeton. Hoeven said he was happy they could make the transition from one industry to another.

Information from: Wahpeton Daily News, http://www.wahpetondailynews.com (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 05-19-08 0811CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list