Mason City, Iowa Issued BDO Zone ‘A’ Rating for Corn Stover

(Bioeconomy Development Opportunity Zone Initiative) The North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corporation, Ecostrat and the BDO Zone Initiative are pleased to announce the issue of an investment grade BDO Zone ‘A’ Rating for Mason City, Iowa. Mason City’s BDO Zone rating for 1,400,000 bone dry tons per year of corn stover is the first rating in the state of Iowa and extends a 75-mi drive-distance from the center point in Mason City, IA.

Mason City’s ‘A’ rating denotes high prospective viability of Feedstock Supply and Infrastructure and low expectations of default risk in the Zone. The region is abundant in low-risk corn stover and is located in a high-yielding corn area, ensuring a reliable long-term supply. Local corn producers are eager to engage in mutually beneficial agreements, with no significant competition for corn stover. Mason City features a greenfield site in an industrial park equipped with all necessary utilities, as well as direct access to 2 class 1 rail systems and two 4 lane interstates, making it an ideal location for corn stover-based biomass projects.

“The ‘A’ rating underscores our region’s ability to support emerging and growing businesses in the bioeconomy,” stated Chad Schreck, President & CEO, North Iowa Corridor EDC. “North Iowa has a long history of innovation in the biofuels sector with numerous ethanol and biodiesel operations. We are excited to build on that foundation by working with the next generation of bioenergy, biochemical, and bioproduct companies to foster the expansion and diversification of bio-based and agricultural resources to be at the forefront of bio-based industrial manufacturing.”

Jordan Solomon, Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative, stated, “Mason City’s BDO Zone ‘A’ rating reflects the region’s exceptional potential in the bioeconomy, highlighting its commitment to a low-carbon future through the utilization of 1.4 million tons of sustainable corn stover resources. This designation will catalyze economic growth and job creation while supporting the broader transition to a bio-based economy.”

About The North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corporation

The North Iowa Corridor Economic Development Corporation serves as the economic development organization for the Cities of Mason City and Clear Lake, and Cerro County, Iowa. The Corridor is the primary contact for business retention and expansion in the region and provides location services for businesses looking to locate in the region. Visit www.northiowacorridor.com or call 641-423-0315 for more information.

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