Published: October 28, 2009 10:36 am      

Hamilton biomass plant will bring jobs, officials say

Representatives from Duke Energy, AREVA and ADAGE joined Hamilton County residents and county representatives Tuesday to discuss job creation and local economic development through ADAGE's planned biomass project in Hamilton County. ADAGE, a joint venture between AREVA and Duke Energy, is focused on converting clean renewable resources into electricity.

"This renewable energy facility will create much-needed new jobs, inject millions of dollars into the local economy, and bring a brand-new industry to Hamilton County," said Sen. Charlie Dean (R-Inverness), who participated in the discussion and serves on the Senate Energy, Environment and Land Use Policy Committee. "This is the type of energy project Florida needs. Locally, it will generate approximately $105 million in direct local economic impact during the first two and a half years of construction and operation-dollars that will go a long way toward getting the Hamilton County economy back on track."

During the roundtable, County Commission Chairman Randy Ogburn, North Florida Workforce Development Board Director Sheryl Rehberg, the Langdale Company President Wesley Langdale, and representatives from AREVA, Duke Energy and ADAGE discussed construction, facility operation and maintenance, and fuel procurement and transportation jobs. The panelists also discussed the key findings of Dr. Julie Harrington, an independent economist and director of Florida State University's Center for Economic Forecasting and Analysis. The analysis finds that, in addition to creating direct jobs, the project will also present opportunities for workers to indirectly serve Hamilton County's newest industry.

"ADAGE's investment in our community provides opportunities for local contractors and working families - our greatest resource," said Charles Williams, director of the Hamilton County Development Authority. "During the initial phases of construction and operation, this includes an estimated 700 direct and indirect jobs, including a combination of permanent on-site and field jobs, shorter-term construction jobs, and over 220 indirect or induced jobs across the Hamilton County economy."

Representative Leonard Bembry (D-Madison), who serves on the House Economic Development Policy Committee and has advocated for creating new job opportunities in the Hamilton County area added, "Following the construction period, the facility will provide over $70 million in economic impact every year. "With employee income totaling over $12 million annually and $10 million dollars of revenue to our local schools over 10 years, Hamilton County families, businesses, and schools will benefit significantly from the project."