Valero Energy Corporation, the San Antonio-based company, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the company recently announced.

Valero, through its Valero Renewable Fuels Company LLC subsidiary, became the first traditional petroleum refiner to enter large-scale ethanol production with the purchase of seven high-quality plants from VeraSun Energy Corp. in 2009.

Valero Renewables operates 14 ethanol plants, including its Fort Dodge plant. The plants are located across eight states with total capacity of 1.73 billion gallons per year, making it one of the nation’s largest producers.

“This marks a significant milestone for our company, as Valero Renewables not only has proven to be a good business, but also a major contributor to our local communities,” said Darrin Baron, vice president of plant operations. “Our plants are very well-run and efficient, and our employees have given generously of their time and resources to many worthy efforts.”

Employees across all Valero Renewables locations pledged or raised a total of more than $429,000 for United Way in 2018, with a company match projected to bring total plant contributions to about $641,000.

Employees of the Valero Renewables — Fort Dodge plant, will celebrate the anniversary in the late spring or early summer.

“We are very fortunate to be a part of such a special company,” said Troy Shaner, plant manager of Valero Renewables — Fort Dodge. “We are doubly blessed to be located in a great community. Our company culture of volunteerism and charitable activities is well supported and received in this area. In addition, the talent pool offered from which to recruit employees has proven to be a strength of the area, as well.”