FINCH — Seaway Valley Farmers Energy Co-operative’s lobbyist and consultant is the only money maker on the ethanol project so far.

Lee Williams and team at Greenstock Resources in Hartford, Connecticut, are earning $22,500 per month and have six more years on their contract with Seaway. The 2005 annual report says that fees to Williams and team "will increase by US $2,500 per month for each subsequent year beginning in October 2005 plus out-of-pocket expenses. The agreement will expire in April 2011."

"Believe it or not in this industry that’s what they get paid," Seaway president Ed Schouten told Farmers Forum. He said Seaway shopped around and found that Williams and team were actually a bargain.