By JONATHAN SNYDER
Valero Renewables’s recent employee appreciation luncheon had an extra surprise for the workers — the announcement of the company as Business of the Year.
Valero was honored Tuesday with the award, as several members from the Wells Chamber of Commerce and community were in on the surprise.
As the workers were presented with a dessert and balloons, complementing the array of food already available, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Erin Prible spoke about Valero’s mark on the community, both financially and in manpower.
“Your commitment to filling gaps and making a positive impact on so many aspects of our community is truly commendable,” said Prible.
Valero was officially nominated by Kim Barger, an administrative employee of Valero, and was supported by United Way Wells, the Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton and the 4-H Backpack Program.
Valero officially entered Bluffton in 2018 after acquiring the ethanol facility from Green Plains. According to Valero, 135 million gallons of ethanol can be produced per year from the Bluffton plant. The corn needed for ethanol production is primarily purchased locally, with Valero buying more than 38 percent of the corn grown in the Bluffton area.
But Valero’s impact stretches farther than local farmers as employees are encouraged to get involved in local community events. Valero employees helped direct runners on the appropriate path to take during The Chicks Run on June 22 of this year, collected health and hygiene supplies for Grace and Mercy Transitional Housing and helped pack bags for the Wells County Backpack Program in November. Valero has also donated more than $320,000 to United Way Wells since 2019.
“We have made tremendous strides in 2023 … we will set some high goals in 2024,” said Barger. “I sincerely want to thank you for all of your hard work at the plant and for your generosity … I hope to expand it (our community involvement) so we get more employees involved and more businesses involved.”
Plant Manager Mark Brown has been with Valero for about 19 years, but recently took the role at the Bluffton plant a couple of months ago. Throughout the years, he has seen the needs of communities and is looking to continue the legacy left by the previous plant manager Justin Moen.
“I know Justin was involved with a few things, and I plan on being involved in those same things,” said Brown. “Maybe I can do a few more things within the community and let people know that we are here to be a member of the community and work with them.”
Barger echoed Brown’s sentiments about getting more organizations involved. She wants to see Valero reach places in Bluffton that they have not been yet.
“We are always trying to get our name out there,” said Barger. “With the handful of organizations that … we have a relationship with, they are very appreciative of what we have done. I still kind of feel with the rest of the community, they don’t know who we are (and) what we do.”
One of Brown’s goals for next year is to get on a first-name basis with some of the Bluffton Common Council members. He also hopes to further accelerate Valero’s ability to serve in different capacities.
“If you see the need of the community and you work with the community, the employees see that,” said Brown. “You’ve got a business that’s not only there to do their thing but they’re there to help the community.”
jonathan@news-banner.com
