| Foundation Finances Biodiesel Facility in Isanti |
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RELEASE DATE: October 21, 2008
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French fries, pine trees, sunflowers and algae – entrepreneur Dr. Clayton McNeff appreciates what those things have in common. 
McNeff is the owner of Ever Cat Fuels and inventor of a revolutionary, patent-pending process for making biodiesel. Biodiesel, a renewable fuel, costs about ten to twenty-five cents less per gallon, is safe for diesel-fueled engines, and produces 50 to 80 percent fewer toxic emissions.
The McGyan process (named for its inventors McNeff, Gyberg & Yan) is superior to traditional biofuel processing methods for many reasons - it makes fuel in seconds, costs about half the price, produces virtually no waste and can use almost any animal fat or vegetable oil as a feedstock.
The fries and algae are just a few of the products that will help to make an estimated 3 million gallons of biodiesel for Ever Cat next year. Demand for this fuel is evident as biodiesel consumption in the United States increased nearly tenfold from 2004 (25 million gallons) to 2006 (225 million gallons). It is anticipated that consumption will approach 1.3 billion gallons in 2009.
The World of Renewables Energy Association refers to the impact of their findings as, “the discovery of a chemical process that could free the United States from its dependence on petroleum diesel fuel.”
 In early 2009, Ever Cat Fuels will open a new 10,000 square foot facility in the city of Isanti, creating 12 new living-wage jobs. The business received support from a variety of sources, including Landmark Community Bank in Isanti and the Initiative Foundation’s Green Business Loan Fund.
“Without financial support from people like the Initiative Foundation, it would not be as far as long as it is,” said McNeff.
“This project combines so many positives,” said George Wimmer, Isanti’s mayor. “It brings in good, high paying jobs, it’s adding to our tax base and the overall concept of the project is great.”
The feeling is mutual. “We were looking for space that’s rural and that community was so receptive that it just took off,” said McNeff.
Isanti, a city of 5,100, received the Economic Development Association of Minnesota’s business recruitment award for their work on the Ever Cat Fuels project.
“Ever Cat’s production facility is really a showcase of technology,” said Sandy Voigt, Initiative Foundation’s Program Manager for Technology Finance. “It’s the type of cutting edge project we love to be a part of.”
Learn more:
> www.evercatfuels.com
> Biodiesel and the McGyan Process (PDF)
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