Jessica Sabbath// October 29, 2014//
A biodiesel producer is planning to establish its headquarters and production facility in Russell County, creating 40 new jobs.
Appalachian Biofuels LLC will spend $3.5 million to convert a vacant property into its headquarters and biodiesel production facility.
The company will process waste feedstock material at the facility, and refine it with an enzyme made in Haifa, Israel.
“We are proud to be hiring former coal miners in the region who will transfer their significant experience in mining energy underground to our new green energy above ground in beautiful Russell County,” Chuck Lessin, president and CEO of Appalachian Biofuels, said in a statement. “We are excited to call Virginia our home, and we hope to grow and expand our business here in Southwest.”
Virginia competed against South Carolina for the project. Gov. Terry McAuliffe approved a $200,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund for the project, and the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $210,000.