Read the original article on bdozone.org
June 26th, 2025 – Macon County, Ecostrat and the BDO Zone Initiative are pleased to announce the issue of an investment grade BDO Zone ‘A’ Rating for Macon County, Alabama. The BDO Zone is rated for 1,056,000 bone dry tons per year of woody biomass and extends within a 75-mile radius from the center point, Tuskegee, AL. The Rating was supported by funding from the USDA’s Rural Business Development Grant.
Macon County’s ‘A’ rating indicates high prospective viability to support new biobased plant operations, with low risk associated with Feedstock Supply and Infrastructure in the Zone. The region features a growing forest industry due to large availability of sustainable and affordable sawtimber and pulpwood, with well-established forest supply chains that have a proven track record of scale-up. The 277-acre industrial site offers prime access to major transportation routes within the Southeast Automotive Corridor and is further distinguished by its designation as a CSX Select Site, one of only three in Alabama, with direct access to rail services and all essential utilities including natural gas, electricity, water, and wastewater services.
Joe Turnham, Director of the Macon County Economic Development Authority (MCEDA), stated, “Situated strategically along the I-85 corridor, anchored by a CSX Select Site at the core of our BDO Zone rating, we are uniquely positioned to attract bio-industry investments that will create sustainable jobs and economic growth. We welcome biobased companies to explore the significant opportunities our region offers and see why Macon County has emerged as the new diamond of the I-85 corridor.”
Jordan Solomon, Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative, stated, “Macon County’s BDO Zone ‘A’ rating for over 1 million bone dry tons of woody biomass demonstrates the region’s remarkable potential for biobased manufacturing and makes this an ideal location for companies developing next-generation biofuels and renewable materials. This designation will serve as a catalyst for economic development while advancing Alabama’s leadership in the bioeconomy.”
To see the full BDO Zone Rating for Macon County, AL, please click here, or visit www.bdozone.org.
About The BDO Zone Initiative
The Biofuel Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone Initiative certifies ‘regional readiness’ for bio-manufacturing, creates global connections and ignites an influx of new energy opportunities for farmers, economic developers, and rural businesses. A BDO Zone rating is an internationally recognized, standards-based technical risk assessment of a region’s feedstock, supply chain, and infrastructure risk with respect to the development potential for new biofuel plants. BDO Zone ratings are site location bullseyes for bio-project development. Investment grade ratings are force-multipliers for attracting new manufacturing plants to the areas where they are most likely to succeed, drive investment and create jobs.
For more information on the BDO Zone Initiative, contact info@bdozone.org. To view all BDO Zone ratings, visit www.bdozone.org. Check out the BDO Zone LinkedIn page for news and updates.
Ecostrat is the North American leader in biomass due diligence for biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, and bio-product project development and finance. Jordan Solomon (jordan.solomon@ecostrat.com) is Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative and President of Ecostrat (www.ecostrat.com).
