Little Colorado River, Arizona
The Little Colorado River, Arizona BDO Zone for Woody Biomass is rated ‘A’.
Rating Issue Date: April 2, 2024.
'A' ratings denote high prospective viability of Feedstock Supply and Infrastructure and low expectations of default risk in the Zone. Capacity to support new biobased plant operations is considered strong.
Little Colorado River, AZ, BDO Zone Overview
Feedstock quantities are expressed in bone dry tons per year (bdt/yr), while feedstock costs are expressed in United States dollars (USD). Maximum transport distance is based on a 75-mile driving distance from the center point (Springerville, AZ).
BDO Zone Assets
- Over 145,000 bdt/yr of low risk woody biomass available for new bio-economy industries
- Increased availability of woodland biomass expected from over-allocation of BLM and State Trust lands for future harvesting
- Below-average employee wages, housing, and cost of living compared to State and national averages
- Potential to acquire low-cost biomass feedstock in the local market
BDO Zone Liabilities
- Lack of direct commercial airport, natural gas and rail access
- Existing suppliers need substantial scaling up of biomass production
- Significant transport distances to major market centers
Infrastructure
- The land parcel highlighted for this report is a privately owned, 30-acre site just southwest of Eagar, AZ, along Hwy 260. It is currently undeveloped but has access to electric and water utilities and is located along a primary highway. It is zoned for industrial development; it lacks natural gas and rail service.
- The parcel is privately owned by a local family trust. They own many parcels of land within the BDO Zone and have indicated a willingness towards new industries coming into the area. The owner is motivated to sell or lease to prospective developers, offering flexibility for potential investors.
- Infrastructure:
- Electric: Navopache Electric Co is the primary power provider within the BDO Zone. For industrial services there is both a three-phase 14.4 kV distribution voltage and a 69 kV transmission level if desired. The service line to the highlighted parcel is available for connection with minimal cost. The current industrial power rate is approximately $0.0735/kWh.
- Natural Gas: No natural gas service is in the immediate Springerville area. Several propane service providers serve residential and industrial gas needs. The nearest natural gas pipeline service is in Show Low, AZ, 47 miles east of Springerville.
- Water: The southern portion of the BDO Zone sits atop the Salt River Aquifer, an average of 300 feet below the surface and constantly recharged, with several hundred wells in the vicinity with excess capacity. Water supply becomes scarce in the northern portion of the Zone.
- Waste: Blue Hills Environmental Association provides trash and landfill services to the BDO Zone. The nearest landfill to Springerville is in St. Johns, approximately 25 miles northwest; the current fee is $60/ton for industrial, non-hazardous waste.
- Telecommunications: The Arizona Commerce Authority awarded over $100M in 2022 to develop internet service in underserved areas of the State. Apache County received $9.7M to work with CommNet, the local provider, to upgrade and expand service in the area.
- Transportation Access:
- The BDO Zone is served by three primary state highways: 60, 191 and 180. These highways are well-maintained and seldom close due to weather.
- The nearest Interstate is just outside the 75-mile supply area to the north (I-40).
- There are no scheduled local transportation options in and around Springerville; shuttle/bus service White Mountain Connects has its hub in Show Low, 25 miles to the west, and taxis and rideshare are available in the Springerville area.
- Permitting and Environment:
- New permitting for buildings, businesses, utility services and land use is handled in nearby St. Johns and requires 30 to 60 days for processing (non-hazardous). The county is very pro-business and encourages new industries by special handling and expediting inspections, issuance and enforcement.
- Air quality is excellent within the BDO Zone (attainment zone). There are no existing or proposed hazardous waste sites anywhere within eastern Arizona, and no existing soil contamination from surface water runoff. There is a single landfill in the vicinity with 15 years-plus capacity, and no Native American cultural areas to avoid.
- Community:
- White Mountain Regional Medical Center in Springerville is the primary healthcare facility in the BDO Zone.
- The St. Johns Unified School District has 930 K-12 students. Northland Pioneer College has remote campuses in Springerville and St. Johns, offering technical, vocational and scholastic curricula with one of the lowest tuition rates in the country.
- Springerville maintains a low crime rate, at 703 per 100,000 people against a national average of 2,324 per 100,000.
- Southeastern end of Eagar, comprised of 124 acres of industrial zoned land
- Site of the original sawmill as well as a small-scale biomass electricity plant
- Ingress/egress is manageable for heavy truck traffic
- Three-phase power, municipal water, and sewer are connected at the site
- Entire property is security fenced with a small 'guard shack' at main entrance
- Office building (approx. 2500 sq. ft.) located outside of the fenced area
- North side of highway 260, western end of Eagar toward Greer
- Right off highway 260
- Current Occupants: AZ Log and Timberworks, Laminators, Little Colorado Meats, RV Storage, and other wood processing yards
- Complex has access to three-phase power, municipal water and sewer, as well as truck traffic ingress/egress
Local Grants and Incentives
Quality Jobs Tax CreditAn Arizona Commerce Authority credit rewarding businesses that create net new qualified employment positions and make qualifying capital investments at an Arizona location. It awards up to $9,000 in tax credits over three years for each new qualifying job, at $3,000 per job per year. Rural counties — those with fewer than 150,000 residents, which includes Apache County — qualify for enhanced rates.
Qualified Facility Tax CreditA refundable credit for capital investment of at least $250,000 to establish or expand a Qualified Facility devoting at least 80% of property and payroll to qualified manufacturing, manufacturing-related R&D, or headquarters functions. Credits are valued at $20,000 per net new job; at a rural location, at least 51% of jobs must pay 100% of the state's annual median production wage.
Apache CountyPermitting for buildings, businesses, utility services and land use is handled in St. Johns and takes 30 to 60 days for non-hazardous projects. The county expedites inspections, issuance and enforcement for new industry.
Foundation for Little Colorado RevitalizationThe regional organization behind the BDO Zone rating, coordinating forest restoration, wildfire mitigation and bioeconomy development across the Little Colorado River region and the first point of contact for project developers.
Contact Information
