Sac County, Iowa, has been awarded an investment-grade BDO Zone ‘A’ Rating, signaling strong prospects for bio-based industrial development in the region. The announcement was made jointly by Sac Economic & Tourism Development Ltd. (SETD), Ecostrat, and the BDO Zone Initiative, reports Bioenergy Insight.
The BDO Zone designation applies to an area with a 75-mile radius centered around Sac City, Iowa, and confirms the availability of 824,000 bone-dry tons of corn stover annually. The ‘A’ rating reflects high potential to support new bio-based plant operations, with minimal risk related to feedstock supply and infrastructure within the zone.
Located in one of the country’s top corn-producing regions, Sac County reports average yields exceeding 190 bushels per acre, ensuring a consistent and abundant supply of corn stover. Although large-scale harvesting is still limited and there is currently no industrial competition for the feedstock, strong interest from local farmers in signing supply contracts points to a promising future for scaled collection efforts.
Adding to its attractiveness, Sac County offers a 90-acre greenfield site within its industrial park. The site is seen as ideal for bio-industrial development, thanks to robust infrastructure, efficient logistics, a business-friendly environment, and competitive cost of living.
“We are dedicated to working with bio-based companies to unlock the full value of our corn stover resources, transforming this underutilised feedstock into sustainable, innovative solutions,” said Brandy Wilson of Sac Economic & Tourism Development. “We have a strong history of partnering with bio-based businesses, including a biodiesel facility in Wall Lake and a planned bio-based site near Odebolt. Our ‘A’ rating highlights Sac County’s vast potential as a leader in the bio-based economy.”
Jordan Solomon, Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative, echoed the optimism. “Sac County’s ‘A’ rating reinforces what we already know about Iowa—it’s a powerhouse for agricultural biomass. The combination of abundant corn stover and ready-to-go infrastructure makes this region particularly attractive for bio-based developers looking to establish new operations.”
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