Clearwater County, ID Issued BDO Zone 'A' Rating for Woody Biomass
Clearwater County, ID Issued BDO Zone 'A' Rating for Woody Biomass
– Underutilized Forest Resources Create New Economic Potential for Clearwater County –
July 17, 2025 – Clearwater County, Ecostrat and the BDO Zone Initiative are pleased to announce the issue of an investment grade BDO Zone ‘A’ Rating for Clearwater County, Idaho. The BDO Zone is rated for 114,000 bone dry tons per year of woody biomass and extends within a 75-mile radius from the center point, Orofino, ID.
Clearwater County’s ‘A’ rating indicates high prospective viability to support new biobased plant operations, with low risk associated with Feedstock Supply and Infrastructure in the Zone. The region features Idaho’s highest producing timberlands with pulpwood growth rates exceeding harvest levels by more than 75%, ensuring sustainable supply. Competition for pulpwood and forest residues is minimal, with most material left unused or burned on-site. The development-ready 42-acre former lumber mill site, located three-miles east of Orofino, offers existing buildings and utilities, while the area’s housing costs, at 36% below the national average support workforce recruitment and retention.
“This ‘A’ rating validates Clearwater County’s exceptional forest resources and sustainable management practices,” stated Mitch Reggear, District #1 Commissioner, Clearwater County. “With our forest growth significantly exceeding harvest levels and minimal competition for pulpwood, we’re positioned to support new biobased manufacturing while maintaining the long-term health of our forests and creating valuable economic opportunities throughout the region.”
Susan Jacobson, Director of Economic Development, Clearwater County, stated, “The designation of Clearwater County as an ‘A’-rated BDO Zone opens exciting new opportunities in the natural resource and biomanufacturing industries. This designation supports both start-ups and business expansions—benefiting local businesses as well as companies looking to relocate to our region.”
Jordan Solomon, Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative, stated, “Clearwater County’s BDO Zone ‘A’ rating, combined with its exceptional forestry resources and ready-to-use industrial site, creates an optimal environment for companies developing advanced biofuels and renewable materials that require reliable, sustainable biomass supply essential for long-term operational success.”
To see the full BDO Zone Rating for Clearwater County, ID, please click here, or visit www.bdozone.org.
BDO Zone Project Development Support:
About The BDO Zone Initiative
The Biofuel Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone Initiative certifies ‘regional readiness’ for bio-manufacturing, creates global connections and ignites an influx of new energy opportunities for farmers, economic developers, and rural businesses. A BDO Zone rating is an internationally recognized, standards-based technical risk assessment of a region’s feedstock, supply chain, and infrastructure risk with respect to the development potential for new biofuel plants. BDO Zone ratings are site location bullseyes for bio-project development. Investment grade ratings are force-multipliers for attracting new manufacturing plants to the areas where they are most likely to succeed, drive investment and create jobs.
For more information on the BDO Zone Initiative, contact info@bdozone.org. To view all BDO Zone ratings, visit www.bdozone.org. Check out the BDO Zone LinkedIn page for news and updates.
Ecostrat is the North American leader in biomass due diligence for biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, and bio-product project development and finance. Jordan Solomon (jordan.solomon@ecostrat.com) is Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative and President of Ecostrat (www.ecostrat.com).