PHILLIPSBURG — The Kansas Department of Commerce awarded local business, Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy, with the Governor’s Regional Award of Excellence on Tuesday. This award kicked off the KDC Business Appreciation Month to spotlight businesses that contribute jobs and support their local communities. The award presentation took place in conjunction with the Lieutenant Governor’s Office of Rural Prosperity Listening Tour in Phillipsburg.

The KDC Business Appreciation Month program has been in place since 1995 and serves as a statewide tribute to Kansas businesses for their contributions to our state. Businesses are nominated in one of four categories: Service, Retail, Manufacturing/Distribution and Hospital/Non-Profit.

One winner in each category is chosen from each of the seven designated regions of the state by a panel of judges from the business and economic development community. “We were honored to receive the award and thank PECD for nominating us. Phillips County thrives on support from all of its’ area businesses and residents. We are proud to be part of Phillips County and give back to our community,” said CEO, Joe Kreutzer. “Every year the Governor of Kansas recognizes the very best of trade and industry across the state. Award winners are notably businesses that exhibit strength with both internal success and community impact; Prairie Horizon is a shining example of these qualities,” said Nick Poels, Executive Director Phillips County Economic Development.

The ethanol plant was one of many stops during the Lt. Governor’s visit to Phillipsburg on Tuesday. Topics of discussion during the tour included: the importance of ethanol to the ag community and in offering consumers a choice at the pump, as well as the challenges the industry faces today. The tour is intended to foster new ways to help rural Kansas communities by hearing from the residents themselves.

Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy is a limited liability corporation, founded in November 2003 in the rural community of Phillipsburg, Kansas. Our company is owned by 300 area investors and employs thirty-six people. Annually, Prairie Horizon produces over 40 million gallons of ethanol and grinds 15 million bushels of grain; yielding just around 127,000 tons of high protein livestock feed. Prairie Horizon’s USA Clean Fuels on East Highway 36 in Phillipsburg, KS offers the consumer a fuel choice that is cleaner, more affordable and better performing.

— Submitted