Georgia County Government - October 2008 - (Page 23) Alternative Energy Cooperative will be an innovation center for agricultural research and fuel production based on bio-fuel sources. The 55-million-gallon corn ethanol plant planned is slated for a site south of Sycamore and a new county detention center on Highway 41 South and set to open in 2009. According to Economic Development Director Shelly Zorn: “This is the biggest project Turner County has ever landed. It will require a priv ate investment of $95 million. It’s not every day people come to Turner County wanting to invest that much money.” The plant is anticipated to employ approximately 40 people, and the CO2 plant on the same site will employ an additional 10 people. In addition to ethanol, the plant will produce DDGS and carbon dioxide. The ethanol from the operation will go to replace traditional gasoline. DDGS is a high-quality, highprotein feed for cows, swine and poultry. The carbon dioxide will be sold to make carbonated beverages and in the production of dry ice in food processing. According to Chairman Daryl Hall, the community is very excited to be the site of this planned facility. “It’s a long-term project, with several phases. One thing that sets it apart from other ethanol projects is that it is a co-op of regional farmers. The company will acquire half the plant’s corn from local, regional farmers and the other half will be transported in from the Midwestern U.S. “As regional farmers provide corn to the facility, it will positively impact the economy of the whole region,” Hall asserts. According to Allen Whitehead, of the Turner County Chamber of Commerce: “The plant will be good for the whole region. Ethanol is right because it helps farmers by providing an additional market for their products. Ethanol production will provide jobs for the community and help the nation by finding ways to lower dependence on foreign oil. It’s a winning enterprise for everyone.” Regional Recreation Counties straddling I-75 have the significant opportunity to lure millions SOUTH GEORGIA continued on page 24 Reed Bingham State Park is one of the region’s special tourist attractions. The park, operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, surrounds a 375-acre lake that has become a major boating and water-skiing attraction in South Georgia. Image courtesy of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources ip 395214_Columbia.indd 1 OCTOBER 2008 8/7/08 11:11:45 PM www.accg.org 23 http://www.columbiacountyga.gov http://www.accg.org
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