PRESS RELEASE:
REGION NINE, MINNESOTA ISSUED BDO ZONE ‘A’ RATING FOR CORN STOVER
– ‘A’ Rating Will Unlock Opportunities for Corn Stover Biomass Utilization –
March 15th, 2024
The BDO Zone Initiative has issued a BDO Zone ‘A’ rating for Region Nine, Minnesota for over 1,400,000 bone dry tons per year of underutilized corn stover biomass.
Region Nine Development Commission and Ecostrat are pleased to announce the issue of the Region Nine BDO Zone. The BDO Zone is the state’s first ‘A’ rating for Corn Stover and stretches across a 75-mile drive distance centered in St. James, MN.
The Region Nine BDO Zone is rated ‘A’, indicating ‘high quality’ feedstock supply chains and infrastructure, attributed to the regions abundant underutilized corn stover, readily available for projects at low risk. As one of the nation’s top corn-producing areas with no established competition for corn stover in the region and a surplus of potential suppliers, the BDO Zone is strategically positioned to accommodate large-scale bio-based manufacturing projects. Additionally, the region benefits from its proximity to major metropolitan areas, on-site utilities, and robust road infrastructure, further enhancing its strategic advantages.
“I am excited about the economic opportunities that will be available in South Central Minnesota as a result of the ‘A’ rating. It will position the region as an attractive area for future investments in sustainable economic development,” added Nicole Griensewic, Executive Director, Region Nine Development Commission.
“This report emphasizes what is possible within our region to utilize our existing resources for greater sustainability and economic improvement. We welcome the opportunity to maximize our use of available corn stover and biomass.” Stated Andrea Boettger, Council President of the City of New Ulm and Vice Chair of the Region Nine Development Commission.
Jordan Solomon, Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative, added, “The ‘A’ rating not only signifies the region’s unwavering commitment to regional progress but also reflects their visionary approach to harnessing the nearly 1.5 million tonnes of abundant and sustainable corn stover for a low-carbon future.”
To see the full BDO Zone Rating for Region Nine please click here, or visit www.bdozone.org.
BDO Zone project development:
Nicole Griensewic
Executive Director
Region Nine Development Commission (RNDC)
nicole@rndc.org
507.387.5643
About Region Nine Development Commission (RNDC)
Since 1972, RNDC has taken pride in bringing new economic opportunities to South Central Minnesota. The organization’s work has led to developing programs and identifying solutions in the areas of community and economic development, transportation, welcoming communities, business development, and leveraging regional resources. Combining these opportunities with sustainable practices has become a focus for RNDC.
For more information about the Region Nine Development Commission, visit www.rndc.org.The BDO Zone Local Development Leader (LDL) is Nicole Griensewic, Executive Director (nicole@rndc.org).
About The BDO Zone Initiative
The BDO Zone Initiative certifies regional readiness for bio-based manufacturing, creates global connections with project developers, and ignites an influx of clean energy opportunities.
A BDO Zone rating is an internationally recognized standards-based technical risk assessment of biomass feedstock, supply chain, and infrastructure risk with respect to the development potential of new biofuel, renewable chemical, biogas, and bioproduct plants. Investment grade ratings attract new bio-based manufacturing plants to the areas where they are most likely to succeed– and create jobs.
For more information on the BDO Zone Initiative, contact info@bdozone.org. To view all BDO Zone ratings, visit www.bdozone.org. Check out the BDO Zone LinkedIn page for news and updates.
Jordan Solomon is Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative and President of Ecostrat (www.ecostrat.com). He can be reached at jordan.solomon@ecostrat.com. Ecostrat is the North American leader in biomass due diligence for biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, and bio-product project development and finance.
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