Southwest Nova Scotia
The Southwest Nova Scotia BDO Zone for Woody Biomass is rated ‘A’.
Rating Issue Date: September 20, 2023.
'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.
Southwest Nova Scotia holds an investment-grade BDO Zone ‘A’ Rating for Sawmill residuals, Pulpwood. Issued in Sep 2023, the rating certifies approximately 550,000 gt/yr of reliable, low-risk biomass feedstock available within a 150-km driving distance from the center point (Caledonia, NS).
A ‘A’ rating is an investment grade rating, signalling a reliable, low-risk feedstock supply. It signals to developers, lenders, and investors that Southwest Nova Scotia’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
- 550,000 gmt/yr of woody biomass potentially available for new projects
- A large sawmill that has recently expanded woodland and milling operations
- A mechanized contractor base with experience producing the rated quantity of roundwood
- Ecological forestry regulations ensure sustainable wood supply from public lands
- Four sites suitable for bioproject development within 150 km of the Port of Halifax
- Significant trucking capacity shortages
- Road weight restrictions and diesel price trends introduce transport cost risk
- Increased partial harvesting and protected area coverage increase wood supply costs
Infrastructure & sites
- The park spans 150 acres and is situated within an hour's reach of the Port of Halifax, Halifax City Centre, and Halifax Stanfield International Airport.
- It is zoned for heavy industrial use, including waste-to-energy operations like landfill gas and biomass processing
- Onsite amenities encompass high-speed internet and 3-phase power, available at $20,000 per acre.
- The park offers seamless access to a skilled workforce, intermodal transportation infrastructure, and commercial markets in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)
- Situated near Liverpool, NS, the park is conveniently located just a 35-minute drive from Bridgewater.
- Spanning 88 acres, the facility features a 550-foot active wharf, public access roads, and marine transportation infrastructure.
- Zoned for medium-sized industrial activities, it offers a robust power grid, ample industrial water supply, and direct access to highways
- The facility has undergone environmental assessments and provides essential utilities such as three-phase power, high-pressure steam, and fueling receivers.
- Centrally located within Southwest Nova Scotia, Bridgewater serves as the South Shore's hub
- Just 100 kilometers (60 minutes) from Halifax via Highway 103, the park features direct access through the newly constructed $48 million Exit 12A interchange.
- The expansion adds industrially zoned land, including light industrial and highway commercial sites, all town-serviced with high-speed internet.
- The park is home to the Michelin Tire Plant and over 50 other diverse businesses, manufacturers, and offices.
- Located in Greenfield, NS, Freeman Lumber is one of the oldest family-run sawmill businesses in North America.
- The facility features newly cleared lands specifically zoned for heavy industrial development
- equipped with essential infrastructure, including three-phase power, an on-site well, septic system, adaptable siltation systems, as well as biomass handling and receiving facilities
- As the largest employer in Queen's County, Freeman Lumber maintains strong relationships with its 180+ journeymen, contractors, and business development specialists
Local grants & incentives
- Atlantic Investment Tax Credit
- Nova Scotia Capital Investment Tax Credit
- Invest Nova Scotia Payroll Rebate
- Atlantic Innovation Fund
- Greenspring Bioinnovation Hub
- Strategic Innovation Fund
- Innovative Solutions Canada
- NRC-IRAP Program
Contacts
