Stone County EDP Announces Recipients of the First Phase of Façade Grant Funding in the Central Business District of Wiggins
Thursday, June 16, 2022—Stone County Economic Development Partnership (SCEDP) is proud to partner with Mississippi Power to announce the first phase of façade grant funding in the central business district of downtown Wiggins.

The following businesses have been awarded façade funding to make improvements at their business district locations in downtown Wiggins:
1) Farmer’s Leasing, owner Ed Farmer, located at 202 East Cavers Avenue.
The project includes cleaning and painting metal window trim and replacing the entrance and damaged windows. The improvement plan includes lowering an existing sign, landscaping and replacing rotting fascia boards.
2) Paul Hardy Properties, owner Paul Hardy, located at 135 Pine Avenue East.
The project includes repairing and painting the building exterior and trim, replacing materials under the porch roof and installing accent lighting.
3) First Street Lofts, owner, Noah Nirschel, located at 143 First Street South.
The project includes brick & mortar repair, exterior painting, along with replacing or repairing damaged wood window frames, rebuilding the awning and replacing the exterior door.

The purpose of the façade grant program is to improve the utilization and aesthetics of the downtown district and retain and attract businesses.
The total amount awarded will be $50,000; Mississippi Power provided $25,000, which is matched by Stone County EDP. The first phase of funding totaled about $10,000 to the three businesses.
Beginning today, businesses located in the central business district of Wiggins will have the opportunity to apply for the second phase of façade funding. The deadline to apply is by the end of next month—July 31, 2022.

Contact SCEDP at 601-928-5418 for information on grant guidelines and to receive an application.
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Arbor Day Tree Planting Event Honors the Legacy of John Guthrie of Stone County

April 29, 2022, Stone County, Mississippi— Stone County Economic Development Partnership (SCEDP) and Adranos, Inc. held an Arbor Day tree planting ceremony to honor the life and legacy of timber pioneer John Guthrie of Stone County.

Mr. Guthrie, a longtime forester and advocate for the timber industry in Stone County, passed away February 4, 2022.  After serving as a trained fighter pilot in World War II in the Air Force, Mr. Guthrie graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry in 1948. It was at Purdue that Mr. Guthrie created a prototype mechanical tree planter.  Soon after, John and his wife Randalin moved to Mississippi, eventually settling in Wiggins. Guthrie was nicknamed “Johnny Pinetree” as a result of his promotion of forestry and tree planting. He established John Guthrie and Sons in 1954 and became the first licensed forester in the state, serving with the Society of American Foresters for 73 years.

The ceremony took place at the industrial park that houses solid rocket motor manufacturer Adranos, Inc., which expanded its rocket motor production and research and development operations to Stone County just over a year ago. The company’s companion facility where its aluminum-lithium alloy solid rocket fuel is being developed is located near Purdue University in Indiana, where Guthrie attended college.

“We are proud to honor John Guthrie’s legacy of entrepreneurship and commitment to the Stone County community,” said Michael Grasso, Vice President of Space Systems and Government Relations at Adranos. “Mr. Guthrie was a pioneer in forestry who established his home in Mississippi after attending Purdue University. Like Mr. Guthrie, Adranos has its academic roots at Purdue and similarly found its way to Stone County, where it intends to grow into one of America’s leading suppliers of rocket propulsion systems.”

This week Adranos announced investors have secured $20 million for increased production and additional employees, which will lead to future growth in the company’s operations in Stone County.

“Stone County is thrilled to partner with Adranos to recognize the legacy of John Guthrie on this 150th anniversary of Arbor Day,” said Betsy M. Rowell, Stone County Economic Development Executive Director. “Mr. Guthrie brought timber innovations to Stone County through his education at Purdue, leading to today’s plentiful wood basket. Adranos is likewise bringing rocket innovations to this area with their partnership with Purdue.  Today is a celebration of these businesses and their innovative contributions to Stone County.”

During the ceremony, local leaders recognized the accomplishments of Mr. Guthrie while showcasing the new and growing rocket production taking place at Adranos in McHenry. Local businesses Green Forest Nursery, Jack’s Plant and Patio, and Cade Ganey Lawncare all assisted in the planting ceremony.

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Enviva Announces $250 million Investment in New Production Plant for Bond, Mississippi to Serve Growing Demand for Renewable Resources 

Fully Contracted Plant Will Serve International Demand for Secure Sources of Renewable Energy and Help Decarbonize Difficult-to-Abate Industries such as Steel, Cement, Lime, and Sustainable Aviation Fuels 

BETHESDA, MD, April 5, 2022 — Enviva Inc. (NYSE: EVA), the world’s leading producer of  sustainable wood bioenergy, today announced it will invest approximately $250 million in Bond,  Mississippi to build a new wood pellet production plant. The facility is a key component of the company’s growth strategy to double production capacity from the current 6.2 million metric tons annually to approximately 13 million metric tons annually over the next five years. 

“Markets for our renewable products have been growing rapidly as countries look for new ways  to reduce their dependence on coal, natural gas, and other fossil fuels for heat and power  generation. Demand from manufacturers driving to reach ‘net-zero’ by decarbonizing industrial  production of steel, cement, lime, and sustainable aviation fuel is also growing rapidly for us,”  said John Keppler, Enviva’s Chairman and CEO. “And in an increasingly volatile geopolitical  environment, countries and companies around the world are seeking security of supply from  stable partners like the U.S. This new facility, the community in which it operates, and the  tremendous people who support it every day will continue Mississippi’s strong tradition of  helping friends across the globe secure energy independence and win the fight against climate  change,” he added. 

The facility site, directly off Highway 49 in Bond, was selected in close collaboration with Governor Tate Reeves, the Mississippi Development Authority, and Stone County officials.  

The plant is fully contracted under long-term take-or-pay supply contracts with customers around the world, providing for durable, positive economic impact to the community. In addition to creating around 100 local jobs with wages projected to be approximately 70 percent higher than the county average, the Bond plant will generate more than $1 million in taxes per  year for the county and school district and deliver over $250 million annually in economic impact in the region. Once operational, the plant will support more than 350 jobs, including those in related industries such as logging and transportation. 

The new plant in Stone County joins two other Enviva facilities in Mississippi, one in Amory,  which is Enviva’s first production plant in the state, and the company’s most recent manufacturing facility in Lucedale. The company also owns and operates a deep-water marine  terminal at the Port of Pascagoula from which pellets are shipped to customers in Europe and 

Asia. Combined, Enviva’s total investment in the Magnolia State is more than $600 million and  supports over 850 direct and indirect jobs in Mississippi.  

“We very much appreciate the skilled workforce and great business environment in the state. I  want to thank Governor Reeves, his team, and the Stone County community for being such  great partners during site selection,” Enviva’s John Keppler said. 

“Enviva’s decision to invest a quarter of a billion dollars and create 100 new jobs in Mississippi  is another tremendous win for our state’s economy. It’s further proof that Mississippi is a prime  location for manufacturing. I’m incredibly proud that these wood pellets, produced right here  by hardworking and skilled Mississippians, will be distributed and used around the globe. I’d like  to thank Chairman and CEO John Keppler and the entire Enviva team for their dedication to our  state and all that they have done to bolster Stone County and its residents. We look forward to  our continued partnership for many years to come,” said Governor Tate Reeves. 

Construction is expected to begin in early 2023, subject to receiving the necessary permits, and  is expected to take approximately 18 months. The Bond plant is expected to have a production  capacity of more than 1 million metric tons of wood pellets per year.  

Mississippi has a robust fiber supply basket, and the plant intends to use low-value and low grade softwood and hardwood fiber sustainably sourced within 75 miles of the facility, creating  durable markets for local landowners and incentives to keep land as forests. The facility will use  state-of-the-art environmental control technology to minimize any impact from the plant’s  operation on the community.  

“Stone County was founded on the timber industry more than a hundred years ago. Our citizens  have long respected the woods and the natural resources they provide. With the  announcement of Enviva, we have an opportunity to produce a record number of new jobs  because of the plentiful resources in Stone County. Our most important asset, our people, will  benefit from the growth we will experience for decades to come,” said Lance Pearson,  President of the Stone County Board of Supervisors.