Barry County is awarded ‘A’ rating for woody biomass

The Barry County Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development and Ecostrat have announced the issue of an investment grade BDO Zone ‘A’ Rating.
The Barry County BDO Zone is the first rating in the State of Michigan for woody biomass and extends a 75-mile drive distance from the center point in Hastings, MI.
Barry County’s ‘A’ rating denotes high prospective viability of feedstock supply and infrastructure and low expectations of default risk in the Zone.
Capacity to support new biobased plant operations is considered strong.
The region features a well-developed timber and forest products industry, with many generational operations providing stability to the wood supply.
The supportive community and pro-business environment of Barry County are advantageous for attracting workers and new bioeconomy operations.
“The BDO Zone 'A' rating underscores our community's potential to lead globally in the bioeconomy,” stated Nichole Lyke, economic development director of the Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance (BCCEDA).
“This rating provides an excellent opportunity to expand and diversify our robust manufacturing and agricultural assets. We are excited to collaborate with bioenergy, biochemical, and bioproduct companies to propel Barry County to the forefront of bio-based manufacturing.”
Jordan Solomon, chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative, added: “Barry County’s ‘A’ Rating exemplifies their commitment to sustainable development by leveraging their abundant woody biomass resources. They are not only tapping into an underutilised asset but also creating new markets and opportunities for bio-based companies seeking a steady supply of biomass."