Developer proposes using vacant plant for ethanol production

HURT - The vacant Burlington property in Hurt could be converted into an ethanol-producing plant, a developer looking to get the project going told Hurt Town Council last week.

Matt Thompson, who grew up in Evington and lives in Lynchburg, pitched his idea to council, telling officials he wants to bring jobs to the area and work with local farmers on the crops needed to make ethanol for vehicles.

"I feel like the opportunity is there to create a lot of jobs," Thompson, founder of start-up company Trinity Energy, said at the Jan. 5 meeting.

Council members asked questions including if the area has enough farmers to support the venture, how the ethanol would be marketed and whether Thompson would use all of the Burlington building.

Mayor Lillian Gillespie said council always wants to encourage business to locate in the vacant building and bring jobs. She said officials would like to have more information from Thompson about the project. She said council would take a wait-and-see position.

Thompson projected making 2-6 million gallons of ethanol at the Burlington plant. He said producing 2 million gallons could mean 25 employees, while if the output was upped to 10 million, it could mean 75-100.

He said his ethanol plant would be the prototype. He said it would be able to be replicated in other places in Virginia to make fuel and produce jobs.

What's more, Thompson said he wouldn't need all the space in the Burlington building. He said other tenants could locate there, helping stimulate small business ventures. He estimated using 150,000 square feet of the building; it has more than 600,000.

In addition, in a letter to Gillespie, Thompson writes about training workers in maintenance and service skills.

Thompson asked Hurt council members to consider the idea.

The next day, he said he'd like to have a letter of support from the town indicating officials are interested in the prospects of renewable fuel and new industry. He'd also like the town to serve as a fiscal agent. That would help as he pursues certain grants for the project.

Thompson said Trinity is also hopeful a non-profit group will sponsor the company for grant funding. He said the company will also seek its own non-profit status.

Gillespie said she didn't know if the town was in the position to sponsor anyone for a grant funding.

"We've got a lot to learn," she said.

At this point, Thompson is looking for investors and grant funding to go forward.

"We're considering all options and will keep all options open," he said. He said he welcomes potential partners and volunteers to help develop the idea.

Thompson, who worked in commercial real estate management in Northern Virginia and Delaware after getting his business degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, said he had also talked to other counties and towns in Southside and Central Virginia. He said several had expressed "extreme interest" in seeing the industry develop in their locality.

Thompson said he'd also like to hear from farmers about their interest in growing crops for use in making ethanol. He said it can be produced from corn, sweet sorghum, sweet potatoes, beets, wheat and barley.

He said whether there are enough farmers in the area to support production would be part of a feasibility study.

Thompson said he's interested in the Burlington building because he grew up in the area and because of the water availability. He said he had talked to the owners, International Textile Group, about two years ago. He has toured the building.

If Thompson moves forward with making ethanol, he said the process would involve distilling, like making moonshine. He said he would be licensed by the Alcohol Beverage Control department.

Thompson said ethanol as fuel has less carbon emissions than gas and increases horsepower.

He said he's been working on the project about a year. He said a chemist, mechanical engineer and retired extension agent are involved with him, among others.

Anyone interested in the project should go to www.e85club.org.

The Burlington plant closed in May 2007, leaving 500 employees without jobs. It opened in the 1940s.

Pittsylvania County Administrator Dan Sleeper has applied for a grant for a study on what can be done with the building and the feasibility of the county buying it. Staunton River District Supervisor Marshall Ecker said the county hadn't heard about the grant.

Next week, supervisors will consider a resolution offering assistance to Matrix Technology Alliance Inc. as it seeks money to renovate, do environmental assessments and cleanups of the property. The resolution says Matrix is in the process of acquiring the property.

source: wpcva