GCI Executes Midwest Wood Specialties Acquisition of Canton Future Biomass Plant
GCI Development is advising Midwest Wood Specialties on the capitalization of its biomass-to-activated-carbon facility in Canton, Illinois, a brownfield redevelopment of the former Aventine Canton Ethanol Plant. The project's Phase 1 capital plan totals approximately $600 million, combining sponsor and investor equity with debt financing. GCI supported the underlying asset acquisition and now provides development and capital markets advisory services, drawing on the firm's structured finance background to help guide the project toward financial close.
Welcome to GCI Development
Who We Are
Jeff Gilbertsen is President and Chief Executive Officer of GCI Development, Inc. , based in Chesterton, Indiana. Since 2008, he has led the organization's development and finance strategy, including the $700 million Harbor Shores redevelopment — a brownfield-to-lakefront resort transformation in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Michigan featuring The Inn at Harbor Shores and a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course — structuring over $100 million in NMTC, TIF, EB-5, and MEDC-backed financing and managing more than $1 billion in debt. Earlier, he held international finance leadership roles at General Growth Properties, directing reporting across $15 billion in domestic and $900 million in international investments. Over 30+ years, Jeff has led or advised on capital raises exceeding $5 billion, and currently serves as fractional CFO and strategic finance advisor to a $2 billion national real estate platform and development and capital acqujisiton advisor for MidWest Wood's 2.0B investment. He holds a Master of Arts in Economics from DePaul University, a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Indiana University, and is a Gulf War veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Contact Us
Jeff Gilbertsen and GCI Development welcome inquiries related to real estate development and redevelopment partnerships, capital markets advisory and structured financing, and fractional CFO services for organizations seeking senior-level financial leadership. Whether you are exploring a brownfield redevelopment, structuring tax-advantaged or private capital financing, or need experienced financial oversight for a growing or complex organization, Jeff brings more than 30 years of hands-on leadership across development, capital raising, and enterprise finance. To discuss a potential project or engagement, please reach out at jgilbertsen@gcidevco.com.