FARGO, N.D. (AP) - Developer and motel operator Gary Tharaldson says he is looking into the possibility of building an ethanol plant near Casselton.

A feasibility study should be finished in the next few months, Tharaldson said. He declined to comment on details of the proposal, saying it is too early.

Members of the Tharaldson family would own the plant, he said. It could begin operating in late 2008 or early 2009, said Kyle Newman, a Tharaldson employee involved in the project.

North Dakota has eight ethanol plants in operation or under construction.

Many of the new ethanol plants being built nationwide produce about 100 million barrels annually, with about 45 employees, said Josie Iszler, executive director of the North Dakota Corn Growers Association. A 100 million gallon ethanol plant uses about 40 million bushels of corn a year.

A Casselton plant would be the first in Cass County, one of the state's top corn producers. The county produced 16 million bushels of corn in 2005, according to the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture figures. Richland County led the state with 28.5 million bushels.

Fargo-based Tharaldson Enterprises has operated motels across the country, though Tharaldson has sold many of them in recent years.