Photo by Ted Lutz
Dan Howard (center), president of Eagle Bio Diesel in Kane, cuts the ribbon to mark the official start of operations for the company located at the former Holgate Toy building on Wetmore Avenue. Holding the ribbon are Jill Thompson (left), president of the Kane Area Chamber of Commerce; and Gloria Udarbe (right) of Ridgway, an investor in the company. Other local dignitaries, employees and family members were present for the ribbon-cutting. Eagle Bio Diesel produces biodiesel, a fuel additive for diesel-powered vehicles and equipment.

By Ted Lutz

Staff Writer

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday to mark the start of operations at the Eagle Bio Diesel plant in Kane.
The facility, which produces biodiesel as an additive for diesel fuel, is located in the former Holgate Toy building at 99 Wetmore Ave.
“This is overwhelming,” Eagle President Dan Howard said in describing the ceremony. “It’s been a long time coming. It’s exciting to see.” More than 30 attended the ceremony.
Howard cut the ribbon at the ceremony, which was held following a tour of the facility. Howard and other staff members answered questions from invited guests, who included some of Eagle’s customers and potential customers.
Under a state law, diesel fuel sold after May 1 is required to contain a minimum of 2 percent biodiesel, which is made from used cooking oil, plant oils, animal fats and even new sources such as algae.
“Our future looks very, very good,” Howard said in discussing standards that mandate the use of biodiesel in fuel for trucks, school buses and other diesel-powered equipment. “We may need to ramp up faster than expected.”
Eagle now has one shift with nine employees. Howard said the company next would add a second shift and then a third shift, as needed.
Howard praised the Kane community for embracing his business. The Kane Area Development Center, which includes the Kane Area Chamber of Commerce, helped Eagle bring its operation to Kane. Amber Hancharick is the executive director of the Development Center.
“New industry is always good for the community,” Kane Mayor Doug Caldwell said following the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He said the production of biodiesel is “an up and coming trend” that should keep Eagle in business in Kane for years. He said the members of the Eagle management team are “good people.”
“The jobs they’ve created and are going to create are meaningful to our community,” the mayor said.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a buffet lunch was served in the Eagle office area.