Monday (May 20), Governor Pat McCrory and John Keppler, the Chairman and CEO of biomass energy firm Enviva celebrated the grand opening of the company’s newest wood pellet production facility in Northampton County. The facility, with the capacity to produce 500,000 metric tons of material a year, will have a significant economic impact in the region and employs 79 full time workers.
“Global demand for biomass energy is projected to increase substantially over the next decade,” said Mr. Keppler. “Our manufacturing footprint in North Carolina plays an important role in meeting that demand and in delivering environmental and economic benefits both to our customers and to the region’s forests, timber owners, and logging and manufacturing workforce.”
“Enviva’s decision to locate this facility in Northampton County is a big win for the region, the forest products industry and the State of North Carolina,” said Governor McCrory. “They are creating good jobs in a growing industry and represent exactly the kind of business North Carolina needs to continue to attract to our state.”