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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Green Circle Bio Energy Invests $115 Million In George County, Mississippi, Wood Pellet Manufacturing Facility

07/01/2013
A company that produces biomass-based renewable energy and operates in an international market for carbon neutral energy, Green Circle Bio Energy, will invest $115 million to establish an energy wood pellet manufacturing facility in the George County, Mississippi, Industrial Park.

The facility is expected to be operational by spring 2015 and will produce wood pellets for shipment from the Port of Pascagoula to European markets to be sold to electric generating facilities, as a renewable alternative to coal. Initially, the plant will have the capacity to produce 500,000 tons of wood pellets per year.

The firm plans to create from 126 to 141 jobs in the region; the majority of positions will be offered at the George County facility, with the remainder at the Port of Pascagoula, Mississippi. Additional temporary jobs will also be created during plant construction.

“We are looking forward to being a part of George County and its future economic growth. The Industrial Park is the ideal location for our expansion. It’s inside a large wood basket area, and it’s close to the Port of Pascagoula, which will export the wood pellets,” said Morten Neraas, CEO of Green Circle Bio Energy. “Our relationships with the Board of Supervisors and the Port of Pascagoula led us to George County.”

“Green Circle’s decision to locate these operations in George County is great news for the entire state, and I am proud to welcome the company as the newest member of Mississippi’s business community,” Gov. Phil Bryant said. “I appreciate the Green Circle team for placing their confidence in our supportive business climate, investing in our state and creating these job opportunities for the residents of south Mississippi. I wish the company many years of success in Lucedale.”

The Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance in support of the project for infrastructure needs at the project site. In addition, George County provided assistance for the project, as well.

“Mississippi has an abundance of natural resources that attract companies such as Green Circle Bio Energy to the state, and MDA is proud to welcome this great company to George County,” said MDA Executive Director Brent Christensen. “We are grateful to the George County Board of Supervisors, the City of Lucedale, the Southern Planning and Development District and our utility partners who worked so diligently to bring Green Circle to Mississippi.”

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