ANOTHER TIMBER INDUSTRY ADDS JOBS

Last month, a new factory for lumber using pine trees was announced to be built in Suwannee County, Florida by a European company at a cost of $130 million. Klausner Lumber One will use up to 700 construction workers and have 350 permanent jobs.

Today, a $53 million revenue bond issue was approved in Escambia County, Florida for a factory to make wood pellets from wood biomass, some of which would go to landfills otherwise. Much of the product will be sold in Europe. See the article below.  

Timber is a major factor in Florida's economy.

Henry Rogers, CCIM, ALC
904-421-8537

County Signs Off On $53 Million Bond Issue For New Century Factory

February 22, 2013

The Escambia County Commission approved a $53 million industrial development bond issue Thursday night for a new wood biomass pellet manufacturing facility to be constructed just outside Century.
John Colquitt of Renewable Fuels in Savannah, GA,  told the commissioners that the new plant will be constructed by an affiliate of his company, North Florida Biomass Fuels, LLC.  The $53 million will be used to finance the design, construction and equipping of the solid waste disposal and wood biomass pellet manufacturing facility on a 25 acre site at 600 Tedder Road, just west of the Century Correctional Institution.
“The project will make a significant contribution to the economic and public health of the region of the county and shall provide or preserve gainful employment, and will serve a public purpose by protecting the environment and advancing the economic prosperity and the health, safety and welfare of the state and its people, Colquitt said during a scripted exchange with County Attorney Alison Rogers.
Colquitt told commissioners that the project will create 34 new jobs in the mill itself, plus 13 trucking jobs.
The conduit bond issue will not obligate the credit of the county or pose any obligation, risk, or liability for Escambia County. No county funds will be used for the project; the bond issue through the county simply provides a tax-free financing opportunity for the developers.
The Tedder Road property to be used for the pellet plant is currently owned by the Town of Century, but is outside the town limits. The Town of Century has not yet formally approved selling or leasing the property to the company.
Coquitt told NorthEscambia.com that the end product to be produced by the Century facility will be marketed in Europe.
Pictured top: This map highlights the planned 25 acre location of a wood pellet manufacturing facility just outside Century. NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge. Pictured inset: John Colquitt of  Renewable Fuels in Savannah, GA, addressed the Escambia County Commission Thursday night.