BioTown, USA

Lt. Governor Skillman (center) draws the names of 20 Reynolds, Ind., residents trying for a free E85 GM vehicle lease for the next two years. Steve Fine of Hubbard GM Center in Monticello, Ind. (left) and Ryan West of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (right) assist Lt. Governor Skillman.

The BioTown Plan » Phase I

Phase I of the BioTown project is the promotion, education, and increased use of ethanol and biodiesel. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture worked with community leaders of Reynolds and set a goal for the greater Reynolds community to obtain the highest per capita usage of flex-fuel vehicles in the United States. Residents of the 47980 zip code were given the opportunity to purchase flex-fuel vehicles at a discount through General Motors.

Reynolds is becoming the first BioTown in the nation. It is important that the town set an example for the local community and the state by replacing the town's vehicle fleet with alternative-fuel vehicles.

Four major goals for Phase I of the BioTown, USA project:

1. To educate residents about and encourage them to use alternative fuels.

   This was accomplished through the Lt. Governor's Extreme Energy Makeover Day. The day featured an Alternative Fuels 101 workshop presented by the Central Indiana Clean Cities Coalition, the Indiana Soybean Board and Indiana Corn Marketing Council. In addition to the workshop, GM sponsored a flex-fuel vehicle showcase and a biofuels open house at the White County 4-H Fairgrounds.

2. To install an E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) pump and a B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel) pump in town to make alternative fuels available to BioTown residents.

   Lt. Governor Skillman announced the opening of BioIsland and biofuels became available in Reynolds on September 29, 2006. Through the dedicated work of ISDA, the commitment of the BioIsland owner and the support of the Reynolds community, the BioIsland is now a milestone in BioTown's goal of reaching energy self-sufficiency.

3. To replace the town's fleet with vehicles that use alternative fuels.

   This was accomplished with the help of General Motors. Lt. Governor Skillman hosted Extreme Energy Makeover Day on November 18, 2005, and unveiled the town's new fleet of flex-fuel vehicles. Not only did the town get new flex-fuel vehicles, but so did a few lucky residents. GM gave away 20 free two-year leases for flex-fuel vehicles and offered special incentive packages for those living in Reynolds and Honeycreek Township-the 47980 zip code.

4. To generate highly visible events that allow the alternative energy story to be told across the state, nation and world.

   BioTown, USA is the first of its kind and is automatically going to interest people because of its new, bold and innovative approach to alternative energies. A delegation from Chile that was visiting Indiana to learn about Hoosier agriculture toured BioTown and learned of its progress and vision. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young made a stop on their music tour to show their support of alternative fuels. Stories about Reynolds' transition to BioTown have been published in newspapers and magazines from the East Coast to the West Coast and across the world.

Phase I is complete thanks to the hard work and dedication of many organizations and the commitment of town residents to make this project a success. Phase I could not have been completed without the help and support of Reynolds' residents.