Laurel County, Kentucky Issued BDO Zone 'A' Rating for Woody Biomass
Laurel County, Kentucky Issued BDO Zone 'A' Rating for Woody Biomass
– ‘A’ Rating to Supercharge New Markets for Underutilized Wood Fiber –
March 25, 2026 – The London Laurel County Economic Development Authority, Ecostrat and the BDO Zone Initiative are pleased to announce the issue of a BDO Zone ‘A’ Rating for Laurel County, Kentucky. The BDO Zone is rated for 342,000 bone dry tons per year of low-risk woody biomass and spans a 75-mile drive radius from its central point in London, Kentucky.
This rating was funded by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Office of Energy Policy through State Energy Program funds made available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Laurel 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. Declining regional demand for pulpwood and certain sawmill residuals has created an opportunity for new facilities to utilize underused resources, with pulpwood prices currently at historic lows. Kentucky’s mandated professional logger certification program further supports a reliable and environmentally responsible supply chain. Together with a nearby project development site—located within six miles of downtown London and offering natural gas, three-phase power, high-speed internet, and heavy industrial zoning—the region is well positioned to support new bio-based manufacturing investment.
Paula Thompson, Executive Director of the London Laurel County Economic Development Authority, stated, “Our ‘A’ rating highlights the significant economic potential of our woody biomass resources. By partnering with biobased companies, we aim to expand our value chain, attract new investment, and create high-quality jobs while positioning our region as a leader in bio-based manufacturing.”
Kenya Stump, Executive Director of the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy, stated, “This rating highlights Kentucky’s resources and desire to be an innovative force in the biofuels space. Fuel diversification is a key pillar of Kentucky’s Energy Strategy, and by supporting our existing forestry and agricultural sectors we can unlock new opportunities for rural economic development. Laurel County’s strong feedstock availability and infrastructure position the region to attract investment in biobased manufacturing and help strengthen Kentucky’s role in the emerging bioeconomy.”
Jordan Solomon, Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative, stated, “Laurel County’s ‘A’ rating reflects a strong foundation for biobased manufacturing, with abundant woody biomass, reliable infrastructure, and low-risk feedstock supply. With strategic investment and alignment across the region, Laurel County is well positioned to attract new biobased projects and create meaningful economic opportunities for the local community.”
To see the full BDO Zone Rating for Laurel County, KY, 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 is Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative and President of Ecostrat (www.ecostrat.com). He can be reached at jordan.solomon@ecostrat.com.