The Janesville ethanol plant in southern Minnesota has been sold and could be fully operational by October.

The plant was constructed but never put in operation because of the bankruptcy of its original owner.

AgStar Financial Services says a Shakopee-based corporation — Guardian Energy LLC — has been formed to own and operate the 100-million-gallon plant. AgStar acquired the plant in March through the bankruptcy of VeraSun Energy of Sioux Falls, S.D.

AgStar has now sold four of six plants it purchased through the VeraSun bankruptcy.

The sale of the Janesville plant is expected to close by Sept. 15, with full plant operations beginning 30 to 60 days later. The sale price was not disclosed.