Done deal: USA BioEnergy plant coming to Newton County, creating hundreds of jobs

Newton County — A deal between USA BioEnergy and Honeywell Corporation is expected to jump start construction of a plant in Newton County that’ll create hundreds of construction jobs and more than 100 permanent jobs, according to our media partner, Mike Lout and KJAS Radio.

In late 2023, KJAS Radio News reported that a 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.

It now appears that a deal has been struck between USA BioEnergy 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.

“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,” said USA BioEnergy Chief Executive Officer Nick Andrews.

Andrews says plans are to have the plant up and running in late 2025.

Last year, Andrews said the operation would use everything from bark to limbs and other raw materials from the timber industry sometimes referred to as “thinning” in a gasifier operation to produce jet fuel, diesel and naphtha. If all goes as planned, the operation near Bon Wier will start off producing 34 million gallons of such fuels each year with hopes of expanding the operation over time to 68 million gallons every year.

Word is that a contract with Southwest Airlines of Dallas is already in place, painting a bright future for the biochemical company.

The company will spend an estimated $1.7 million to build the plant, resulting in 500 jobs in the construction phase and about 140 permanent jobs once the facility is up and running.

The project was first announced by then Newton County Judge Kenneth Weeks in May of 2022. He was instrumental in bringing the project together and 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 electric power to meet industrial needs.

The plant, which was last owned and operated by the Louisiana Pacific Corporation, closed in August of 2002 and left about 370 people without jobs.