Following several delays it appears the new biorefinery in Alpena is nearly ready to start producing ethanol.

Mark Szczepanik, operations manager for Alpena Prototype Biorefinery, provided city council Monday night, with an overview on the progress of the plant.

Szczepanik said the mechanical workings of the plant should be completed by April 25 and he hopes the facility will begin producing ethanol some time in May.

The company has hired a total of 21 employees, many of who are from the region or wanted to relocate back to the area.  Many of the workers started a new training program Monday, at Alpena Community College.

The $23.5 million plant is a joint venture between Cobalt Technologies and American Process Inc.  The plant was built next to Decorative Panels International.  The biorefinery will use some of DPI’s waste, turning it into ethanol, biobutanol and sodium acetate – a de-icing agent.