After six months of trying to attract a wood pellet manufacturing company to Jones County, the board of directors of the Economic Development Authority of Jones County voted on Tuesday, November 19 during their monthly meeting to withdraw the Howard Tech Park South site as a possible location for the new plant.
In making the recommendation, Asset Committee Chairman Dr. Doug Jefcoat stated, “The Asset Committee recommends that we request the present and former Mississippi Development Authority to withdraw the Tech Park South site from project Chipmunk.”
The committee made the recommendation after meeting with Howard Industries executives who objected to the wood pellet manufacturing facility locating behind their transformer production facility.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality had approved the wood pellet manufacturing facility. However, Howard Industries did not object to the manufacturing facility itself but to the potential environmental impact of getting the wood products to the facility. Hundreds of pulpwood trucks would be streaming into the plant, emitting wood chips and dust into the local environment. Howard Industries executives told the asset committee members that if a speck of dust or a tiny wood chip made its way inside one of the transformers, it would cost thousands of dollars in damages.
During the discussion to determine the asset committee’s request, it was mentioned that the wood pellet company might be looking at a new site in Waynesboro, which could lessen the potential loss to the local forestry industry. It was also pointed out during the discussion that the wood pellet company, Enviva, has made no firm commitment to the Jones County site and may not be looking to build any other facility in Mississippi besides the one in Lucedale (George County).
Jefcoat said the decision by the asset committee to make the request was unanimous. The board of directors also unanimously voted to accept the recommendation to withdraw the site.
In other business, the board voted to accept the building plans presented by Sanderson Farms, who is closing on 23.4 acres in the Howard Tech Park.
According to EDA President Ross Tucker, Sanderson Farms has been expanding its operations in and around Laurel and Jones County. To keep up with future processing needs, Sanderson Farms is increasing and updating their hatchery capabilities and will be building a state-of-the-art hatchery facility in the Howard Tech Park.
The board approved the recommendation of the committee to pay the EDA’s portion of the maintenance needed to repair the roof leaks and weather stripping around the five loading docks at the Ability Works facility at a cost of $2,200. The board also approved the committee’s recommendation to accept the request for timber clearing by Raymond Rivet Timber Company on 55 acres of wetland owned by the EDA that is located behind Thermo-Kool in the old industrial park on East 21st Street in Laurel. The Tallahala Creek runs through the middle of the property.
The board also approved a new common area maintenance agreement with the Howard Tech Park tenants regarding the electric bill at the walking track. The cost of electricity to the walking trail will be shared with the tenants in accordance with the same percentage amount they share in the regular maintenance agreement. EDA will pay 60 percent of the cost instead of the full cost, and the remaining 40 percent will be distributed among the tenants. This new agreement will take effect on December 1, 2019.
David Dill gave the financial report. According to Dill, the EDA’s fiscal year ended in September. The EDA did not meet in October due to the EDA banquet. His report included September and October. Dill said there was an increase in revenue to what was budgeted in FY 2018-1029 of $30,000, and he contributed the additional revenue to be from the City of Ellisville’s support, Howard Industry land sale, and interest income.
President George Bassi thanked everyone for their contribution to the EDA annual banquet, and he recognized Dr. Doug Jefcoat once again as being the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award by thanking him for his service.
Jefcoat responded, “Thank you for the nice award.” Jokingly he added, “You realize I would do this for nothing, and I do. I have a strong opinion of giving back to the community. I enjoy what I do, and I encourage young people to do the same.”