Illinois Corn Marketing Board will provide incentives for retailers to adopt Ethanol

BLOOMINGTON, Ill – September 15, 2014 – The Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB) and the American Lung Association (ALA) recently chose Gilbarco Veeder-Root as their partner to help drive the adoption of higher ethanol blend fuel in Illinois. The partnership brings together three industry leaders to provide retailers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to make fuel dispensing equipment compatible with higher blends of ethanol more affordable for retailers.

ICMB, which represents the interests of corn farmers in Illinois, funded grants that will provide incentives for Illinois retailers to purchase new Gilbarco Encore® Flex Fuel dispensers for their stations.   Gilbarco Veeder-Root offers the industry’s broadest range of fuel dispensers specifically designed for alternative fuels, including ethanol which is largely produced from corn. Gilbarco’s range includes models offering the fueling public up to five fuel choices at one pump, reducing the risk of mis-fueling and minimizing the number of tanks needed.

“Partnering with Gilbarco and ALA was an easy choice,” said Dave Loos, Director of Technology and Business Development of Illinois Corn Marketing Board. “Gilbarco is the industry leader in fueling technology and brings a wide range of fueling equipment, media options, and payment expertise to retailers through this partnership. Their support moves us toward our goal of five hundred E85 pumps in Illinois.”

“We are very pleased ICMB and ALA partnered with Gilbarco to promote the adoption of higher ethanol blends,” said Travis Bouck, vice president of marketing with Gilbarco Veeder-Root.  “This partnership couldn’t have happened at a better time for retailers. Our ethanol dispensers meet the upcoming 2017 EMV requirements, and the additional incentives from our partners will provide additional value to our retailers to support new dispenser purchases before the deadline.”

By October 2017, retailers will have to accept EMV enabled cards on the forecourt or take on additional liability for fraudulent transactions. Gilbarco’s EMV capable CRIND® that comes standard in new Encore 700 S Flex Fuel dispensers will allow retailers to become compliant with the EMV deadlines. Also through this joint program, retailers will be able to roll out additional innovative dispenser options, such as the media platform Applause™ TV, which brings engaging content to a fueling consumer through large color screens. Illinois retailers interested in the program should contact their local Gilbarco distributor.

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About ICMB

The Illinois Corn Marketing Board was established in 1982 to manage the voluntary checkoff investment that corn farmers in the state agreed to implement that year. The farmers that make up ICMB are elected by their peers to serve unpaid, three year terms. The ICMB farmer leaders are tasked with developing and maintaining markets for corn which is Illinois' highest valued agricultural commodity. Find out more about ICMB at http://www.ilcorn.org and the family farmers who contribute to the checkoff at http://www.watchusgrow.org.

For Further Information Contact:
Tricia Braid, Communications Director
Illinois Corn Growers and Marketing Board
tbraid@ilcorn.org
(309) 827-0912