The Center for Producer-Owned Energy began operating in 2004 with the help of a USDA grant. Those funds were used to help develop more than 20 different energy-related projects geared toward the development of biofuels, biogas and biomass utilization. Those projects have impacted more than 8,000 Minnesota producers.

With the growing emphasis on renewable fuels and energy independence, the need for the services provided by the Center remains strong.