Emporia, Kansas Issued BDO Zone ‘BBB’ Rating for Corn Stover

(Bioeconomy Development Opportunity Zone Initiative) BBB’ Rating to Stimulate Biobased Economic Opportunity - The Emporia Regional Development Association and Ecostrat are pleased to announce the issue of an investment-grade Bioeconomy Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone ‘BBB’ rating. The Emporia BDO Zone encompasses a 75-mile drive distance from the center point in the City of Emporia, KS, and is the first ‘BBB’ rated BDO Zone in Kansas for Corn Stover.

The Emporia BDO Zone features a strong foundation in corn stover harvesting, providing a wealth of operational expertise and equipment availability. Situated strategically along I35, a major north-south interstate serving states from Texas to the Canadian border, and US 50, an east-west highway serving several ag production states. Emporia’s industrial sites capitalize their location along the region’s excellent highway infrastructure. Established educational institutions, Emporia State University and Flint Hills Technical College have a proven track record of collaborating with the industry to cultivate and attract skilled labor further reinforce the zone’s infrastructure and supply chain capabilities.

Jordan Solomon, Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative stated, “Emporia’s distinction as the first BDO Zone Rating in Kansas highlights its strategic utilization of corn stover biomass, paving the way for new sustainable, low-carbon markets in the region.”

“The BDO Zone rating for Emporia underscores our community’s steadfast dedication to advancing sustainable economic development and fostering the creation of clean energy jobs in our region,” stated Kala Maxfield, Chairperson of the Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas. “We eagerly anticipate collaborating with and bolstering biobased companies to explore further applications for our biomass resources.”

For more information about BDO Zone Rating for Emporia, Kansas please click here, or contact info@bdozone.org.

About the Emporia Regional Development Association

The Emporia RDA exists to “proactively promote economic growth of the East Central Kansas region through commercial and industry recruitment, expansion, and training enhancements.” The RDA actively drives growth in the Emporia region by collaborating with businesses and partners to facilitate workforce attraction and training, prepare industrial spaces for development, secure government incentives, undertake infrastructure projects, engage in proactive development partnerships for housing and commercial ventures, and address challenges faced by businesses and the community. The hands-on, service-forward approach of the Emporia RDA has led to the creation of over $1 billion in capital investments and 2,800 jobs since its founding.

About The BDO Zone Initiative

The BDO Zone Initiative certifies regional readiness for bio-based manufacturing, creates global connections with project developers, and ignites an influx of clean energy opportunities.

A BDO Zone rating is an internationally recognized standards-based technical risk assessment of biomass feedstock, supply chain, and infrastructure risk with respect to the development potential of new biofuel, renewable chemical, biogas, and bioproduct plants. Investment grade ratings attract new bio-based manufacturing plants to the areas where they are most likely to succeed– and create jobs.

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. Ecostrat is the North American leader in biomass due diligence for biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, and bio-product project development and finance. READ MORE