We could tell you that in 2014, POET generated $13.5 billion in sales for U.S. businesses or supports an estimated 39,378 full-time jobs, but what better way to tell the story than to listen to the voices of those who are touched by POET daily.
DIRECT EFFECTS “I came in as Governor in January of 1983, and at that time we were a very energy dependent state, basically fossil fuels imported from overseas,” said Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad. “Today in Iowa, we produce more in ethanol than we consume in gasoline – and that’s created a lot of great jobs. It’s been good for the environment, it’s been good for the economy and it’s good for Iowa’s corn farmer. “We are very excited at the change that has taken place,” Branstad continued. “We appreciate a company like POET making these investments in many small communities, which has just helped us revitalize rural Iowa. “In the past, we educated a lot of talented people in the state who left to get good jobs outside Iowa,” Branstad said. “Now, we’ve got people who grew up in Iowa, who have friends and family here and are able to come back and find good quality jobs in their local communities where they can earn a respectable living – and make a contribution to their communities.”
INDIRECT EFFECTS “Our partnership goes back many, many years,” said Peter Halling, Senior Director, Global Marketing – Biofuels for Novozymes, the world leader in bioinnovation – including industrial enzymes, microorganisms, and biopharmaceutical ingredients (the stuff that gets the most out of the ethanol production process). “Obviously, both companies have benefited from this partnership economically. Novozymes from selling to an important customer like POET, an organization that values – and is willing to pay – for innovation, as well as for POET, which has gained an economic and competitive advantage with Novozymes’ innovative solutions.” “It’s been a blessing in disguise,” Halling said of the nearly decade partnership with POET. “We’ve had a very steep learning curve and we’ve worked very hard to deliver the products that help POET in
Dominic Boyer
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad
Erika Thompson
WWW.VITALBYPOET.COM
31