Sign-up and post on iBerkshires today.It's Free!
Already a member? Log In

 Make us your homepage!
27°  H- 54%
The Berkshires online guide to events, news and Berkshire County community information.  
Enter your email address to
receive our FREE Newsletter

February 9, 2010
Welcome to the new iBerkshires.com Web site. We have made a number of changes to the site to increase the amount of information available to you and to make the site easier to navigate. As always, we encourage you to provide us with feedback to keep improving the site. Please take a moment to fill out our very short survey by clicking here. Click here to take survey
Noteworthy
TOP STORIES AROUND THE COUNTY

Berkshire Biodiesel Outlines Future Plans at Business Salute

By Jen Thomas
04:49PM / Thursday, August 16, 2007
Print | Email |

WILLIAMSTOWN - With plans to break ground at Ashuelot Park in Dalton and Pittsfield by the end of the year, Berkshire Biodiesel LLC is continuing to move forward in constructing its $65 million plant.

In their keynote speech at the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce's "Good News Business Salute" breakfast Wednesday morning, Berkshire Biodiesel President and CEO Garth Klimchuk and Executive Vice President Lee Harrison revealed the details of their operation and the subsequent benefits to Berkshire County.

"This project is going to be in the local market and will allow us to have positive effects," said Klimchuk. "I hope the Berkshires will get its arms around biodiesel and support us."

In May, Berkshire Biodiesel, a subsidiary of New York-based Northwinds Biodiesel LLC, announced that it would begin construction at the industrial park this month, but because of an unexpectedly long permitting process, Klimchuk said the company was unable to do so.

"We hope to be producing at the facility by the end of 2008. We're moving as quickly as we can to get this product in the marketplace," he said.

Biodiesel is the result of a process that combines organically-derived oils with alcohol to create a renewable, environmentally-friendly fuel. Berkshire Biodiesel would use the 50 million gallons per year it intends to produce for use in diesel and vehicular marketing, heating oil and power markets.

According to Harrison, biodiesel cuts greenhouse gas emissions in half, reduces the release of sulfur and nitric oxide and makes the air cleaner. As a way to reduce reliance on foreign oil with no byproducts or waste products, biodiesel has the potential to be a huge money-maker in the Northeast.

"It's part of the solution. It's no silver bullet. I like to call it ‘silver buckshot’ and we're one of the pellets," said Harrison.

The company plans to build two large manufacturing bays and offices on eight acres of land at the Pittsfield/Dalton site, as well as an additional seven acres allotted for construction of a rail line that will transport materials to the plant. The construction phase will employ approximately 100 and the plant itself will create nearly 30 permanent jobs.

Additionally, Klimchuk said about 80 percent of the plant construction team is Berkshire-based, including Barr and Barr Builders of Williamstown and Foresight Land Services of Pittsfield.

Klimchuk cited attractive sites, strong support, a talented local work force and proximity to markets as catalysts for locating the facility in the Berkshires.

"Everywhere we turn from this site, we have a market, we have a buyer," he said.

Good News

The business salute, sponsored by General Dynamics, also recognized several area businesses for their continued commitment to quality service and the community.

North Adams City Councilor and MountainOne Financial Partners Vice President Richard J. Alcombright was the master of ceremonies at the event and honored Greylock Insurance Agency, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition and Williams College.

The final salute went to recently retired Berkshire Visitors Bureau President and CEO William R. Wilson.

“Life is good,” said Alcombright to sum up the day’s festivities.


Jen Thomas may be reached at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at (413) 663-3384, Ext. 23.
Your Comments
Post Comment
No Comments
MOST VIEWED STORIES | MOST COMMENTS
iBerkshires.com Text Ads
www.taylorsfinedining.net
www.iberkshires.com
www.countrysidelandscape.net
www.jiminypeak.com
Advertise on iBerkshires.com












 
View All
Drury 44-35 Lenox
Drury girls beat Lenox by the score of 44 to 35. (Photos by...
Drury 49-40 Mount Greylock
Drury wins over Mount Greylock by score of 49 to 40....
Taconic 31-28 Hoosac Valley
Taconic wins over Hoosac Valley by score of 31 to 28....
Williams women's 59-57 Tufts
Williams College Women's Basketball beat Tufts by the score...
Lee 51-38 Mt Greylock
Lee beats Mount Greylock by the score of 51 to 38. (Photos...
Bay State Skiing 2010
Amateur skiers from around Berkshire County and across the...
Mt. Greylock Defeats McCann...
Mount Greylock Regional High School boys' basketball team...
Bay State Skate Show 2010
Some of the state's top skaters displayed their skills on...
HV Nips Drury, 48-47
The Hurricanes claimed a one-point victory over the Blue...
Hoosac Valley 79-58 Mt....
Hoosac Valley beat Mt. Greylock by the score of 79 to 58....
Drury Girl's Basketball
Drury win over Taconic girls 50-47. (Photos by Paul...
Lenox 56 to 38 Mt. Greylock
Lenox beat Mt. Greylock 56 to 38. (Photos by Paul...
Amherst won over Ephs 75-51
The Williams womens' basketball team (10-4) became another...
Drury girls 54-25 Hoosac...
Lady Blue Devils all over Hoosac Valley by the score of 54...
Hoosac Boys wins over Taconic...
Hoosac Valley beats Taconic 57-49. Hoosac survive three...
Fitness classes @ BArT
During the winter months, students in the fitness classes...
Drury 44-35 Lenox
Drury girls beat Lenox by the score of 44 to 35. (Photos by...
Drury 49-40 Mount Greylock
Drury wins over Mount Greylock by score of 49 to 40....
Taconic 31-28 Hoosac Valley
Taconic wins over Hoosac Valley by score of 31 to 28....
Williams women's 59-57 Tufts
Williams College Women's Basketball beat Tufts by the score...
Lee 51-38 Mt Greylock
Lee beats Mount Greylock by the score of 51 to 38. (Photos...
Plus...


| Home | A & E | Business | Community News | Dining | Real Estate | Schools | Sports & Outdoors | Berkshires Weather | Weddings | Berkshires Map |
Advertise | Recommend This Page | Help Contact Us | Privacy Policy| User Agreement
iBerkshires.com is owned and operated by: Boxcar Media 106 Main Sreet, P.O. Box 1787 North Adams, MA 01247 -- T. 413-663-3384 F.413-663-3615
© 2008 Boxcar Media LLC - All rights reserved