DFI Group.

• Position: Plans for 3 North Carolina ethanol plants - Brief Article

What tobacco settlers grew but didn't smoke, they sold. They did the same with their excess corn -- after distilling it into a more transportable product. Now, with tobacco on the endangered list, Tar Heel agribusiness is turning again to alcohol. State officials held a news conference to tout a Raleigh developer's $1.4 billion plan to build three ethanol plants in Eastern North Carolina. William Horton, president of DFI Group, wants plants in Onslow, Greene and Martin counties -- each employing about 400 -- by the end of 2003. One will use corn; The other two, sweet potatoes -- which the state leads...