Renewables Facilities
Valero Renewables - Welcome
1444 120th St.
Welcome,
MN 56181
United States
Overview
The Welcome plant, located on 300 acres about 160 miles southwest of Minneapolis, produces ethanol, distillers grains livestock feed and fuel- and feed-grade corn oil. With original startup in June 2009, the plant was acquired by Valero in April 2009.
The plant became one of the industry’s first zero liquid discharge facilities, releasing no wastewater and reusing process water and storm water to supplement well water coming in. The facility also is the only ethanol plant Valero opened brand new, completing construction two months after its purchase.
The plant purchases corn from within 40-50 miles.
Welcome By the Numbers
- ~74 employees
- 140 million gallons per year ethanol production capacity
- 368,000 tons per year dried distillers grains production
- 49 million bushels per year corn processing capacity
- More than $714,000 contributed to the local United Way through employee pledges, additional donations and company matches since 2013
- $313,000 from the Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children to local children's charities over the last 10 years
- More than 20,000 hours volunteered by Welcome plant employees supporting local nonprofits over the last 10 years
In Our Community
Welcome Employees Give Back
Volunteer Hours
More than 20,000 hours volunteered by Welcome employees supporting local nonprofits over the last 10 years.
Benefiting Children
A total of $313,000 has been given to local children's charities over the last 10 years from the Valero Texas Open and Benefit for Children.
United Way Giving
More than $714,000 contributed to the local United Way through employee pledges, additional donations and company matches since 2013.
Environmentally Responsible Operations
Best-in-class environmental performance through reliability, operational excellence, and investments in renewable energy.
The Welcome plant has been recognized under the Efficient Producer Program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for superior process efficiency – through reduced on-site energy consumption, increased fuel output and/or use of biomass or biogas from certain sources to reduce process energy greenhouse gas emissions.
Safety Awards & Honors
Multiple quarterly Valero STAR Metric awards for achieving no incidents in five key areas of process safety, reliability, environmental, rail safety, and policy and procedure compliance.
2018 Meritorious Achievement Award in Occupational Safety from the Minnesota Safety Council
2018 Large Business of the Year from the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce
Three-time recipient of the Valero Chairman’s Renewables Plant Excellence Award across several measures, from safety, reliability and environmental performance to production and community support.
Recently named, "Workplace of the Year" by Ethanol Producer Magazine for its safety record, diverse workforce and high participation in Valero's Total Wellness program.
Local Information
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About Welcome
Welcome was established in 1880 by the Southern Minnesota Extension Company on land owned by S. L. Campbell; it was called Campbell's Switch. In July 1881 the post office was established as Lily Creek – since that town already existed, the name was changed to Welcome in September; in honor of Alfred M. Welcome, whose farm was on its southwest side. It was incorporated as a village in the townships of Manyaska, Fox Lake, and Rolling Green on May 7, 1890 and separated from those townships on April 24, 1907.
Population: 686 in 2010 Census
- 46 miles to Mankato
- 113 miles to Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- 139 miles to Minneapolis
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Things To Do
Fairmont Raceway: https://www.fmtraceway.com
Martin County Historical Society: https://fairmont.org/mchs/
Fairmont Opera House: https://fairmontoperahouse.org/
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Helpful Links
City of Welcome: https://welcomemn.govoffice2.com/
Marin County West Schools: https://www.martin.k12.mn.us/
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Related Documents
Contact Us Plant Manager: Nicole Gries
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In An Emergency
Emergency Notifications
Notification information to come
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To Sell Corn
Contacts:
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To Purchase Distillers Grains
Contacts:
