Western Plains Energy was originally created for one reason: to improve the value of local grain. What began with this simple idea has blossomed into a tremendous economic value to the region, whether it is jobs at the plant, fuel sales for the trucks that bring us grain and deliver our products, or the many vendors that spend the night in our local hotels.In 2000, US grain prices were down due to surplus, and farmers were looking for alternative uses for their grain crops. Brian Baalman, a local farmer, attended a value-added presentation at the Commodity Classic in Florida. There, a presenter talked about how his investment in an ethanol plant had increased his earnings per bushel. Inspired by this idea, Brian brought the concept back home. He shared the vision with Jeff Torluemke, and the two set out to organize a group to build an ethanol plant right here in Northwest Kansas. On July 10, 2001, Western Plains Energy, L.L.C. was formed.