Greenbrier Valley, West Virginia
The Greenbrier Valley, West Virginia BDO Zone for Woody Biomass is rated ‘AA’.
Rating Issue Date: July 27, 2023.
'AA' ratings denote very high prospective viability of Feedstock Supply and Infrastructure and very low expectations of default risk in the Zone. They indicate very strong ongoing capacity of the region to support new biobased plant operations. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
Greenbrier Valley, WV holds an investment-grade BDO Zone ‘AA’ Rating for Forest residuals, Sawmill residuals, Pulpwood. Issued in Jul 2023, the rating certifies approximately 850,000 gt/yr of reliable, low-risk biomass feedstock available within a Maximum transport distance is based on a 75-mile driving distance from the center point (Renick, WV)..
A ‘AA’ rating is a high investment grade, signalling an abundant, low-risk feedstock supply. It signals to developers, lenders, and investors that Greenbrier Valley, WV’s feedstock supply has undergone rigorous, standardized due diligence across 100+ risk indicators, the same framework applied to every BDO Zone across North America.
Every BDO Zone Rating assesses a region across three dimensions, mapped as expanding radii around a candidate site.
- Feedstock surplus: Data indicating at least 50,000 tonnes per year of excess feedstock available to support typical intake of new biofuels manufacturing plants.
- Supply chain strength: Evidence supporting long-term commitment to supply both quantity and quality by local farmers, forestry companies, food waste generators, haulers and municipalities.
- Sound infrastructure: Suitable transportation, logistic, operating and supporting infrastructure to meet the requirements for new facility operations.
Assets & liabilities
- 600,000 gt/yr of pulp-quality Roundwood potentially available at low-risk
- A high density of sawmills with a combined residual availability of at least 150,000 gt/yr
- A skilled and experienced forest industry interested in supplying feedstock
- Sites suitable for industrial biomass-based projects
- A large competitor with longstanding ties to suppliers is situated within the supply basin
- Logging capacity in the region is significantly reduced relative to pre-2007/08 levels
- Supply chain scale-up is necessary to meet additional demand for feedstock
Infrastructure & sites
- Over 85 acres at 291 Edray Business Park Drive, Marlinton, Pocahontas County; 30 developable acres immediately available
- Ready-to-occupy publicly owned 30,000-square-foot building with 25,000 sf manufacturing and 5,000 sf office space
- Generous incentives for reduced or free rent based on job creation
- Electric service, water, wastewater management, and broadband included
- 45 miles from Interstate 64; 43 miles from Greenbrier Valley Airport
- 25-acre park at 3 Park Dr, Peterstown, Monroe County; 10 developable acres available August 2025
- Electric service, water, wastewater management, and telecommunications available
- Adjacent to U.S. 219; 5.6 miles from US Route 460; 20 miles from Interstate 77; 46 miles from airport
- 99-acre site at 118 Industrial Park Road, Durbin, Pocahontas County; no zoning
- Electric service, water, wastewater, telecommunications available
- Floodplain present; 70 miles from I-64; 80 miles from Greenbrier Valley Airport
- Adjacent to Inter-State Hardwoods sawmill and wood product operation
Local grants & incentives
- Two Federal Opportunity Zones (54025950100 and 54025950700) with preferential tax benefits
- WV Department of Economic Development tax credits and business programs
- WV Economic Development Authority grants for $50,000-$10 million state-financed loans
Contacts
