Lincolnway Energy Cooperative was formed in March 2004 following several months of evaluation by the group’s founders. Lincolnway Energy, LLC was formed from Lincolnway Energy Cooperative on May 18, 2004. The group engaged Holbrook Consulting Services and ProExporter to perform an in depth Feasibility Study. This study was completed on March 31, 2004 and the Lincolnway Energy steering committee interpreted the findings favorable to constructing an ethanol production facility in Central Iowa.

Lincolnway Energy started production on May 22, 2006. It is a 50 plus million per year coal fired dry mill ethanol plant. It is located near Nevada, Iowa in an area of abundant corn production. This fact, combined with an alliance with a local farmers’ cooperative and its unit train loading facility located in Nevada, provide an advantage relative to plants in other locations.  

The site was chosen for its central proximity to an ample supply of relatively inexpensive feedstock, with a location near a major national transportation corridor of Interstate 35 and US Highway 30. It is adjacent to Union Pacific’s Class 1 Rail Road. The site is annexed by the City of Nevada with advantages of three phase electrical service, ample and inexpensive water supply, waste water discharge, fire protection and other municipal services. Lincolnway Energy, LLC is located adjacent to the Heart of Iowa Coop, who handles the corn feedstock for the plant. The physical location of Lincolnway Energy, LLC is approximately 2.5 miles west of Nevada along County Hwy E-41, Lincoln Highway. It is approximately 2.5 miles east of Ames, Iowa and I-35.