In late 2023, KJAS Radio News reported that deal had been struck between an airline and a Scottsdale, Arizona Company known as USA BioEnergy that would possibly result in a large biochemical operation to be constructed and operated at the site of the former plywood mill near Bon Wier in Newton County. It now appears that a deal has been struck between USABioEnergy and the Charlotte, Carolina based Honeywell Corporation to install the firm's Experion DCS control and safety system at the site, meaning construction and operation could begin soon. USABioEnergy Chief Executive Officer Nick Andrews said "Our selection of Honeywell's Experion DCS and safety systems for our planned Bon Wier facility was a strategic decision to ensure we operate with the highest efficiency and and safety standards." Andrews said late last year that the operation would use everything from bark to limbs and other raw materials from the timber industry sometimes referred to as "thinnings" in a gasifier operation to produce jet fuel, diesel and naphtha. In fact, Andrews has said that If all goes as planned the operation as Bon Wier will start off producing 34 million gallons of such fuels per year with hopes of expanding the operation to 68 million gallons per year over time. Word is that a contract with Southwest Airlines of Dallas is already in place, painting a bright future for the biochemical company. Estimates are that the company will spend $1.7 billion to build the facility resulting in 500 jobs in the construction phase and around 140 permanent jobs once the facility is up and running. When the project was first announced by then Newton County Judge Kenneth Weeks in May of 2022, Weeks who was instrumental in bringing the project together, said the site of the former plywood mill on Farm to Market Road 363, west of Bon Wier was chosen due to availability, highway and railroad access and the availability of electrical power to meet industrial needs. The plant, which was last owned and operated by the Louisiana Pacific Corporation, closed in August of 2002, leaving an estimated 370 people without jobs. Andrews says that plans are to have the plant up and running in late 2025.
https://www.kjas.com/news/local_news/article_bf595ad0-7a64-11ef-8fd8-ab6e801a8882.html