GLOSTER, MS – Gov. Phil Bryant and officials from Drax Biomass International Inc. have announced the company is planning to construct a 450,000 metric ton per year wood pellet production facility in Gloster, MS, in Amite County.

The facility, to be known as Amite BioEnergy, represents a substantial multi-million dollar investment by the company and will create 45 direct jobs, as well as additional indirect jobs during construction and in the transportation and forestry sectors once the plant is operational.

Drax Biomass is a development and operating company focused on manufacturing wood pellets for renewable, low-carbon power generation from sustainable biomass. The company is a wholly-owned United States subsidiary of Drax Group plc, a major electricity generator in the United Kingdom with a commitment to producing renewable power.

“I am delighted Drax Biomass has selected southwest Mississippi for its planned new wood pellet production facility,” Gov. Phil Bryant said. “I know our state’s plentiful resources, friendly business climate and dedicated workforce will serve Drax Biomass well, and I am proud to welcome Drax Biomass as our state’s newest corporate citizen.”

“This is an exciting step for us,” said Drax Biomass CEO Chuck Davis. “With Mississippi’s support we are looking forward to moving this business through development and into construction during the first part of 2013. Drax Biomass is focused on building and operating a clean, safe manufacturing facility that will support the local economy, create long-term jobs and interface with the local forest industry.”

The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) worked with company and local officials to provide assistance for road and infrastructure needs related to the project. The Town of Gloster and Amite County provided assistance for infrastructure needs, as well. In addition, Entergy Mississippi provided support for this project.

“Drax Biomass’s decision to locate a wood pellet manufacturing plant in Gloster is exciting news for the Amite County area and for all of southwest Mississippi,” said MDA Executive Director Brent Christensen. “With Mississippi’s abundance of biomass resources, our state offers important advantages to businesses that rely on biomass for their operations. I thank Drax Biomass officials for their investment in our state, and I thank our partners in southwest Mississippi for their hard work in support of this project.”

Drax Biomass intends to employ proven, innovative practices and state-of-the-art technologies to manufacture a product that can be readily used to generate renewable energy by developing, building, and operating safe and efficient wood pellet manufacturing facilities. Led by an experienced and entrepreneurial team, Drax Biomass will help support the forestry industry and its communities through economic development and manufacturing processes that use fiber from actively and sustainably managed forests. To learn more, visit draxbiomass.com.

Source: Drax Biomass