The Greater Grenada Partnership has added another feather in its cap after officially signing paperwork on the largest capital investment industrial project in the history of the economic development organization.
GGP CEO Matthew Harrison announced Monday its strategic partnership with Highland Grenada, LLC., an affiliate of Highland Pellets, LLC., marking an important step to significantly grow sustainable manufacturing and economic development in the Grenada region. Highland Grenada, LLC., recently completed its acquisition of the former Georgia-Pacific OSB property — an impressive 144-acre site that will soon become Grenada’s first-ever green energy project — one that took nearly two years to finalize.
“The arrival of Highland Grenada, LLC., exemplifies our unwavering dedication to forging a sustainable manufacturing future,” Harrison said. “For the last 22 months, our team has been working to reach this important milestone and we have finally arrived.”
Highland Pellets is a Pine Bluff-based wood pellet producer that supplies sustainably-sourced renewable biomass for export where it is used as fuel for renewable base load electricity production at a converted coal power plant. The Highland facility was initially completed in 2017. The company also operates a plant in Stephens, Ark., as well as a riverfront development at the Port of Pine Bluff, Ark., only a few miles from the original facility.
Thomas Reilley, chairman of Highland, LLC., the parent company of both Highland Pellets, LLC., and Highland Grenada, LLC., commended the GGP for its extensive work during the lengthy process.
“The support of the Greater Grenada Partnership has been a vital piece of the puzzle for us as we expand into Mississippi,” he said. “Building a pellet production facility requires an extraordinary commitment of time and resources from our team as well as strong support from local stakeholders. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Matthew and the Greater Grenada Partnership team as we move to the next stages of bringing this project to reality.”
Jeff Vanderpool, group executive vice president for Highland Pellets, LLC., acknowledged the long journey to expand into Mississippi, adding that the GGP was vital to the process.
“We began exploring Mississippi more than two years ago because of its abundant supply of sustainable fiber,” he said. “As we started to narrow the focus of potential sites it became obvious that north central Mississippi is where we needed to be. Throughout this journey, we have worked very closely with Matthew Harrison and the Greater Grenada Partnership to ensure that all critical elements of our business model were covered and that there was commitment from all key stakeholders to a long-term relationship. It has been a long journey, but we are very excited to finally plant our flag in Grenada and look forward to being a part of this wonderful community.”
Members of the Grenada County Board of Supervisors include, from left, Michael Lott, District 1; Columbus Hankins, District 3; Darryl Robinson, District 4; Chad Bridges, District 2, and Chad Gray, District 5. | Submitted Photo
Grenada County Growing
The Highland Grenada announcement comes on the heels of two additional wins for the GGP in the last six weeks, one of which being the expansion of railroad capabilities. In early September, the organization announced the return of the 235-mile Grenada Railroad line that runs north and south along the Interstate 55 corridor between Canton, Miss., and Memphis, Tenn., and is owned by Gulf & Atlantic Railways following nearly a decade of repairs and upgrades, along with millions of dollars of federal, state and private investment.
According to Harrison, transportation is a crucial aspect of Highland’s commitment to sustainability. The wood pellets produced will be efficiently transported by train to nearby rail spurs, rivers and ports. This optimized transport network not only reduces emissions, but also facilitates the timely delivery of high-specification pellets to global markets, positioning Grenada as a responsible and dependable supplier of fuel for renewable energy.
Cassie Dull, chief commercial officer for Gulf & Atlantic Railways, parent company of Grenada Railroad, said her organization is anxiously awaiting the opportunity to work with the new industry.
“First of all, congratulations to Grenada County and Highland Grenada on such an incredible achievement,” she said. “We are thrilled that Grenada Railroad will serve the new location and look forward to being a part of this transformative project.”
The second GGP announcement came two weeks ago when Harrison announced that the organization had purchased 6.3 acres of prime real estate adjacent to Interstate 55 north. With the purchase, the aging Knights Inn and Budget Inn hotels just off Exit 206 will be demolished making way for new retail and commercial development.
“This is just the beginning; we have more exciting news coming,” Harrison said. “The growth of Grenada has become a daily reality. I am thankful for the visionary leadership of the County, our various boards, my phenomenal team and our community partners that allow us to be successful.”
The former GP site will now undergo a transformation that signifies Grenada’s commitment to environmental stewardship and economic advancement, according to Harrison.
“This ambitious project aligns perfectly with Grenada’s mission to diversify its economy, while making a significant impact on global sustainability efforts,” he said.
Investing in the Future
Although capital investment figures have not been released, Highland made a combined $364 million in capital investments for its last two expansions, according to published reports. With that in mind, Grenada’s project was the direct result of visionary strategic planning.
“We chose to invest in the abandoned Georgia-Pacific site because we believed it held the power to transform our forestry community, and with Highland’s investments, that transformation has become a reality,” Michael Lott, president of the Grenada Board of Supervisors, who represents District 1, said.
Harrison added that this new undertaking is poised to significantly advance sustainable manufacturing in the region as Highland Grenada, LLC., embarks on the production of renewable fuel pellets for the global energy market. Highland Grenada, a part of the Highland Group, renowned for its expertise in sustainably sourced biomass, is poised to lead this initiative as it introduces cleaner and greener fuel alternatives for energy markets in Europe and Asia, according to company officials.
“Forestry manufacturing is part of the lifeblood of our rural community, shaping our economy, providing jobs and fostering a sustainable future for generations to come,” District 4 Supervisor Darrell Robinson said. “As a board we have always supported industrial growth.”
The Highland Group has a stellar track record of responsibly sourcing wood fiber from sources such as forest thinnings and residual waste wood provided by local sawmills. The harvesting of thinnings — smaller trees that are removed to prevent overcrowding and improve forest health — is an important component for long-term forest fire prevention and healthy forests. This practice not only aids in the long-term health and vitality of the forests, but also contributes to the local economy by creating jobs and supporting the wider forestry economy.
“This is great news for not just Grenada County, but great news for all of the communities surrounding,” District 3 Supervisor Columbus Hankins said. “We are excited about the new opportunity that this new partnership will bring.”
Beyond environmental conservation, Harrison said Highland actively engages with local communities by creating employment opportunities and sourcing quality pulpwood from local landowners. This commitment not only supports the local economy by direct spending and employment, but also supports the wider forestry economy, including loggers, truckers, rail workers and landowners, thereby fostering economic stability within the region.
“Forest mill operations serve as a catalyst for economic growth, generating a multitude of direct and indirect jobs that breathe life into the local economy,” District 2 Supervisor Chad Bridges said. “The impact that this new facility will have is almost beyond our measurements. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
District 5 Supervisor Chad Gray added that he is excited about all of the potential opportunities that the new suppliers will produce.
“Grenada was already a business hub due to other industry expansions, but this new opportunity is creating a massive daily traffic count, which will spur more opportunities for our small businesses and residential areas.,” he said.
As design, engineering and site preparation for this visionary project takes shape in the coming months, it symbolizes the unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and progress that define the Greater Grenada Partnership and Highland Grenada LLC.
“The Greater Grenada Partnership and Highland Grenada, LLC., are united in their dedication to propelling Grenada to new heights in economic development and environmental responsibility,” Harrison concluded. “This collaborative effort will not only create jobs but also contribute to a more sustainable future for Grenada and the world.”
A groundbreaking event is anticipated for early spring 2024.
