Florida firm set to hire first workers for Blissfield energy site

BLISSFIELD, Mich. - A fledgling Orlando, Fla., company that promised hundreds of new jobs here has been delayed by the state, but is getting ready to hire its first local employees, local officials said this week.

BioDri LLC should begin hiring the first of what it says ultimately will be more than 330 local workers over the next several weeks, Blissfield and Lenawee County economic development officials said this week.

The company has developed a portable machine that can convert feedstock such as algae, soybeans, and brown greases from grease traps into biofuel feedstock; convert farm waste into dry solids and usable water; clean biohazards and other contamination from water, and make saltwater or brackish water potable.

In January, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority announced $3.1 million in incentives to convince the company to set up shop in Blissfield. At the time, company officials said they planned to begin hiring in May, but it took several extra months for the state incentives to be made available, said Jim Gartin, president and chief executive officer of the Lenawee Economic Development Corp.

"They are moving forward. They were delayed in getting all the documents in with the state, but that was finalized last week," Mr. Gartin said. "Now they're getting ready to move forward with the first batch of hiring."

BioDri spokesman Dan E. Young could not be reached for comment. Company president Dennis Lapin referred questions to Mr. Young, but said he was on vacation.

Blissfield Village Manager Jim Wonacott said he had met with company officials this week and was told that the first hiring would get under way shortly.

The company plans to move into existing facilities in the Blissfield Business Park, and it is expected to hire up to 150 people within its first two years of operation.

But, Mr. Wonacott said, BioDri "couldn't hire people and couldn't sign a lease until they got authority to proceed from the state."

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. estimates the project will create 316 indirect jobs in the area. The village of Blissfield approved its own 12-year tax abatement in support of the project.

The company owns 12 patents on a "scalable" machine that simultaneously separates solids, liquids, and gases from waste streams using a thermodynamic process.

Water from the process can be captured through condensers or vented as steam, while the fats, oils, and greases generated are used as a feedstock for making biodiesel fuel.

A machine capable of processing up to 20,000 gallons per day, along with a control room and a small office, are built in cargo containers that can be transported anywhere in the world.

Hiring is being done through an online "interest survey" that is still available at the South Central Michigan WORKS! Web site, www.scmw.org.

A worker at the agency said the office continues to receive inquiries from people interested in working for BioDri, and refers everyone to the Web site.

Contact Larry P. Vellequette at:

lvellequette@theblade.com

or 419-724-6091.