Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Enviva LP (“Enviva”), a leading manufacturer of processed biomass fuel in the United States and Europe, will build a new wood pellet manufacturing facility in Hertford County. The company plans to create 53 jobs and invest $52 million during the next three years in Ahoskie. The project was made possible in part by a $270,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
“North Carolina has tremendous biomass resources and this project is a great opportunity for us to use those assets to create jobs,” said Gov. Perdue. “Enviva is a great addition for North Carolina, and these high quality jobs are a tremendous boost for Hertford County.”
Enviva will build the wood pellet manufacturing plant at the former Georgia Pacific lumber facility site in Hertford County. The plant’s production capacity of approximately 330,000 tons annually will help Enviva meet increasing demand from clients across Europe and the United States. Committed to using the best practices in sustainable harvesting, Enviva will source locally all raw biomass materials used in producing the premium-grade pellets.
Salaries will vary by job function, but the average annual wage for the new jobs will be $38,736 not including benefits. The Hertford County average annual wage is $27,456.
“When it is complete, this facility will have a global impact by helping our customers reduce their greenhouse gas emissions,” said John Keppler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Enviva. “With its abundant biomass resources, close proximity to ports, and its wealth of skilled labor, Hertford County was the perfect choice of location for this project. In addition, North Carolina has an excellent track record of nurturing and supporting alternative energy businesses so we are thrilled to be here.”
The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.
“This investment by Enviva is more evidence of North Carolina’s reputation as a good place to do business,” said Rep. Annie Mobley, of Ahoskie. “The coordinated effort to recruit this company to Hertford County is to be commended.”
“Enviva’s opening up shop in Hertford County is welcome news for a county that has been hit hard by the recession,” said Sen. Ed Jones, who represents Hertford County. “Our long-term investment in infrastructure and worker training, along with the use of competitive recruitment strategies, has paid off once again.”
North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate. Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state works aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain its workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.
Through use of the One NC Fund, more than 45,000 jobs and $8 billion in investment have been created since 2001. Other partners that helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C Community Colleges, Hertford County, the Town of Ahoskie and the Hertford County Economic Development Commission.
For more information about Enviva, including job opportunities, go to www.envivabiomass.com