Municipal economic development officials welcomed GreenField Specialty Alcohols’ announcement today that it is committing $40 million toward upgrades to its Chatham-Kent plant.
“GreenField’s long term commitment to developing green technology and expanding production in Chatham-Kent strengthens and diversifies our local economy,” said the municipality’s Director of Economic Development Services Michael Burton.
“This is also a $40 million addition to Chatham-Kent’s industrial tax base,” said Burton. “So this is also good news, not only for business, but for residents and our quality of life. The expansion of existing Chatham-Kent businesses is a key strategy in maintaining and expanding our local economy,” and our economic development team is pleased to work with GreenField to build on these new opportunities,” added Burton.”
“GreenField is developing ever more sophisticated processes to turn plant material into ethanol, methane, hydrogen and even bio-jet fuel,” said Economic Development Officer Suzanne Brown. “For example, today the common reed called phragmites is a weed that is taking over our wetlands and driving out other species – but, with the right technology, this plant can be harvested to create bio-products. This is both a good environmental story and a good green industry story. It is an example of the sort of research and development that creates new opportunities for suppliers, distributors and young people looking for a career. Employment opportunities of the future will call for scientists, engineers and skilled workers.”
“These developments present our educational institutions with opportunities to support local industry and to expand courses and certifications that will qualify young people for green high tech jobs close to home,” added Brown.
