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Brantley News:
WOOD PELLET PLANT EXPECTED TO EMPLOY 12 TO 14 WORKERS
NAHUNTA, GA – Varn Wood Products has announced plans to build a wood pellet plant at its Hoboken sawmill site. The plant will hire 12 to 14 employees. The plant will make the pellets out of pine byproducts from the sawmill. It is being designed to produce 80,000 tons of pellets a year but will increase to 120,000 tons a year if needed. The bulk of the pellets will be shipped to Europe, where coal-fired plants are being converted to biomass fuel. Some wood pellets will also be sold in the U.S. as animal litter. The plant is scheduled to start production in the fall of 2012.
ZIRCON MINING PLANNED FOR BRANTLEY/CHARLTON SITE IN 2013
NAHUNTA, GA – Southern Ionics, a Mississippi-based specialty chemicals company, has selected a 120 acre site in the Winocur Road area of Brantley and Charlton counties to mine zircon and other metals from the underlying sand. Two thirds of the area to be mined is located in Brantley County. Zirconium, which is obtained from zircon, is used in kidney dialysis, antidepressants, ceramics and paints.
Ron Rose, director of mining operations, stated that mining is scheduled to begin in late 2013. The projected date allows time for the company to obtain all of the necessary permits from the state Environmental Protection Division, the Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies.
THORNTON APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dr. Richard Thornton Unanimously Selected From 13 Candidates
NAHUNTA, GA – The Brantley County Development Authority is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Richard Thornton as its new Executive Director effective August 1, 2011. Dr. Thornton was selected from 13 candidates who submitted their interest in the position. He brings over 29 years of academic and economic development experience to Brantley County. As Executive Director for Economic Development with Southeastern Technical College in Swainsboro, Georgia, Dr. Thornton was responsible for supporting economic development activities in four South Georgia counties, managing customized training, continuing education, and “Work Ready” assessment.
Dr. Thornton possesses a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Georgia. He looks forward to supporting existing businesses in Brantley County, while also working to recruit new industry and job growth for the community.
The Development Authority officially extended an “interim” appointment to Dr. Thornton, who follows in the footsteps of former Executive Director Jeanie Boland who retired in February 2011 and is the only other person to have ever served in the position doing so successfully for over ten years. Dr. Thornton will work through a 90-day probationary period, followed by a performance review by newly appointed Development Authority Chairman Robby Thomas and Vice-Chairman Gary Strickland.
The Brantley County Development Authority encourages Brantley County citizens to join them in welcoming Dr. Thornton to the community.
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If you would like more information about this, please contact the Brantley County Development Authority at (912) 462-6275 or email
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