HELENA-WEST HELENA- At
its monthly meeting this past Monday,
the Phillips County Port Authority
approved the sale of 100 acres to
Patriot Alternative Fuels, Inc. which
plans to build a biodiesel and ethanol
plant at the Helena Harbor. The cost to
construct the plant is estimated to cost
over $100 million and could be completed
within the next 12-18 months.
Executive Director
Martin Chaffin said, “We are happy to
have the interest from Patriot
Alternative Fuels. With the addition of
this prospect, we currently have
prospects who have either purchased or
leased land representing the potential
creation of over 600 jobs. It appears
that construction could begin on at
least one of these facilities before the
end of next year.”
In addition to this most
recent prospect, Chaffin also reported
that he had been in contact with RGM
Marketing, LLC of Kansas City, which has
purchased 200 acres of land and has an
option to purchase more. RGM plans to
construct a food-grade processing
facility with an adjacent biodiesel
plant and power production facility.
When completed, that facility is
estimated to bring an estimated $1
billion investment to the community.
Chaffin reported, “RGM
has sent another $50,000 to extend its
option to purchase another 45 days.
They are nearing completion of their
architectural drawings and have made
progress toward obtaining their
permits. It appears that they are
moving forward at a reasonable pace. We
could potentially know a potential
timeline for construction before the end
of the year.”
The Port Authority also
heard a presentation from Covenant
Ethanol representatives from Kansas and
Arkansas.
Chaffin also reported to
the port that 12 other prospects have
been in contact with the Port Authority
about various projects and have
proposals at lesser stages of
development. The other prospect with a
land option, E-Fuels of Nevada, is
reportedly continuing its efforts to
line up investors.
Chaffin said, “We have
had more activity at our facility in the
last 10 months than has occurred in
years. This is an exciting time, and
our facility is attracting attention
from all over the county. It’s a matter
of time before we see considerable
economic development at the Harbor.”
Re:
Port Holds Monthly Meeting; Picks up
another prospect
HELENA-WEST HELENA- Another prospect
for alternative fuels has leased 50
acres at the Helena Slackwater Harbor
for the purposes of constructing a
facility to manufacture the product.
According
to Executive Director Martin Chaffin,
this company estimates that it could be
preparing the site for construction
within 120 days. He said, ?This is just
another exciting opportunity for this
area. There is more activity at our
facility than there has ever been. I
believe that we are on the brink of
witnessing construction of one of these
facilities.
Chaffin
also reported that RGM Marketing, a
company out of Kansas City, Missouri, is
continuing to make progress on its plans
to build a $1.6 billion facility on 200
acres of land recently purchased at the
port. That plant will process food
grade material, manufacture Biofuels,
and have a power plant to produce power
for the factory. The plant, when
constructed, will be the biggest
investment in Phillips County in more
than a generation.
Chaffin
also reported that the port has another
biodiesel prospect that needs about 20
acres to build a facility that will
produce 65 million gallons of fuel
annually. Other prospects include a
lumber mill and a steel fabrication
facility.
Chaffin
said, We are excited about these
prospects, and we are making substantial
progress. I can envision a
groundbreaking within the next 90-180
days. We have prospects coming in every
day. Construction of the last extension
of our bridge crane will begin in
January. Our facility is continuing to
develop and is one of the best on the
river. Economic development in Phillips
County appears to be inevitable, and it
is an exciting time to be here.
In other
business, the Port passes a resolution
congratulating Delta American Fuels, a
joint venture of Pat Burks and David
Brooks Griffin, on their announcement
that they plan to construct a biodiesel
plant on Highway 20 south of Helena.
Chaffin said, ?A rising tide lifts all
boats, and we are happy to see
construction of a facility in the area
that will create some jobs. This is big
for the county and the Port Authority
congratulates Delta American on its
achievements.
Also
discussed at the meeting was the
progress of E-Fuels Inc., of Nevada on
securing financing for its biodiesel
facility. Chaffin reported that an
E-Fuels representative will be here this
week to report on their progress.
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