INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — In Indiana, corn production is forecast at 826.5 million bushels, down 8 percent from the 898 million bushels produced in 2010. Yield is forecast at 145 bushels.

Whatever the supply and demand, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council (ICMC) aims to see state corn finds a market through ethanol promotion and other opportunities to add value to the crop. Ethanol is one leader of building corn demand in the state.

A study commissioned by the ICMC and completed by INFORMA Economics in April showed the economic impact that ethanol has in Indiana:

•13 ethanol plants with 1.095 million gallons of production per year

•1 ethanol job creates 4.8 additional jobs

•602 full-time jobs at 13 operating plants

•$1.5 billion in direct capital investment since 2006

•$497 million increase on Gross State Product

•$45 million increase in state taxes

•Indiana ranks fifth nationally in ethanol production, with 7.5 percent of capacity

•Rack ethanol price versus rack gasoline price, if passed along to the retail level, would have resulted in savings to consumers of $47 million

“There’s a wonderful ripple effect of Indiana corn supplying jobs through ethanol,” said Gary Lamie, vice president of the ICMC.

To further promote ethanol use with retailers and consumers, the Council introduced the Flex Fuel Pump Program to help build infrastructure for mid-level blends. The program supplies up to 50 percent, or $20,000 (whichever is less), of cost to install flex fuel pumps, also known as blender pumps.

These pumps allow consumers to choose a variety of fuel blends including blends of 20 percent (E20), 30 percent (E30) and even 50 percent (E50) ethanol to gasoline. Drivers of flex fuel vehicles can use up to an 85 percent blend in their cars and trucks.

Four grants were awarded in September to Little Point Auto and Truck Stop, Inc. in Stilesville; Austin West-Side Sunoco in Austin; Eddie’s Service, Inc., in West Baden; and Capital Express Mart, LLC in Granger. The grants can be used toward the purchase of a flex fuel pump, hardware and storage tank or the conversion of an existing pump to a blender pump. The program is open to both new and existing stations in Indiana.

The ICMC has allotted funds for more recipients this year, as well as in 2012. “The grants will help the retailers, thereby increasing ethanol use in the state and the corn market in the state,” Lamie said.

Another facet of the Council is finding new uses for corn and soybeans. Students at Purdue University have put research and creativity to work in the annual Student Soybean and Corn Innovation Contests, sponsored by the Indiana Soybean Alliance and ICMC.

Student teams are formed in the fall and through the winter, develop ideas for product research, development and marketing, then showcase their products for judging in March. A liquid bandage made from corn was the 2011 winner in the corn division.

“They do a fabulous job in the short period of time they have,” said Ryan West, director of new uses at the ICMC. “We’re impressed.”

Following the competition, the ISA and ICMC may talk to Purdue’s technical advisors about launching a more full-scale research of the product to determine its viability in the marketplace. West cited a soy-based gelatin and a soy protein-bound acetaminophen binder that are still in research phases.

“All of those little base hits add up,” he said. “Ethanol was a grand slam, but 10 of those smaller uses are worth one big one.”

Another product was tested on Indiana roads this summer – a concrete sealer made from soybeans. West said this underscores another mission of the two crop organizations: To be good neighbors.

“We’re looking not only to promote Indiana agriculture, but help our constituents and taxpayers,” he said. “It’s using the ability we have to be a good economic catalyst for the state and help the community.”

For more information on the ICMC, go to www.incorn.org