Often I hear students make comments about our county. They talk about how poor it is, how bad the schools are, how there is nothing good going on in Sampson County. So I am incredibly excited to be able to go back to my classroom and tell my students that things are happening in Sampson County that aren’t happening anywhere else in the country (yet.)
I’ve learned through my externship that Sampson County is now on the cutting edge of the alternative fuels industry. From researching and growing biomass, to the establishment of a cellulosic ethanol plant, to the many, many businesses and individuals that are already using energy from alternative fuels, Sampson County is poised to lead the country and bring revenue and opportunity to this area.
To me this is exciting news! Not only is what is happening here exciting for the alterative fuels industry, it gives our county something in which they can take pride… if only they know what is going on. That’s where I come in. 🙂
Sounds like you and I are on similar projects. Would really like a chance to collaborate on biofuels. 🙂
I’d love to! Let’s talk next week!
I agree, that is exciting! If the process continues to be successful, how many jobs are projected?
Initially at the plant, 50-60. But the need for biomass will increase and therefore there will be more jobs on the production and research end as well. Also, if it goes well, there is a good possibility that the company that is building the plant will want to establish a second plant in the area later on.
This is really cool! I love teaching renewable vs. nonrenewable energy to my students. It is great to know that North Carolina is working on solving the energy problem! I will definitely keep up with your externship and blog to learn more and pass the word on to my students!
I’m not sure what part of Pender County you’re in but the Williamsdale Biofuels Field Laboratory would make a fantastic field trip! They are a research farm experimenting with growing all kinds of biomass for the coming plant and it really helped me understand the big picture of biofuel. It’s a cool opportunity!