ATLANTA — Gloster company Drax Biomass received The Governor’s Award for Excellence in Exporting for its dedication and commitment to Mississippi communities. The award was handed out personally by Gov. Phil Bryant.

The Award recognizes businesses in Mississippi that have made a substantial exporting contribution to the state and are leaders in economic growth, both in our local communities and abroad.

“We’re honored to be presented with the award from the Governor today and proud that our exporting ability and experience is being highlighted,” President and Drax Biomass CEO Pete Madden said. “Drax Power Station in Yorkshire, England uses millions of tons of wood pellets every year to generate electricity and a significant proportion of those pellets are produced right here in Mississippi at the Amite BioEnergy facility in Gloster. However, before they can be used to generate electricity, they must be transported safely and efficiently across the Atlantic. The journey from plant to port is no small task and is growing more and more efficient — ensuring the supply chain is as low-carbon as possible.”

“This has been our mission and we’re proud of the role that we play in the areas in which we operate. As we grow as a business we feel strongly that the communities around our operations should grow as well. By bringing back good jobs our industry is playing an important role in economic development and revitalizing communities in Mississippi.” Madden said. “Together with our employees, we are committed to investing time, energy and resources to help these areas thrive.”

Drax Biomass wood pellet facility Amite BioEnergy is located in southwest Mississippi in the town of Gloster and maintains a workforce of more than 60 employees, and can produce up to 525,000 metric tons of wood pellets annually.

Drax Biomass broke ground on its $160 MM Amite BioEnergy facility in early 2013. The facility was commissioned in August 2015 and is on track this month to achieve its highest-ever output for shipment. In March 2017, Amite BioEnergy began work on a series of facility upgrades to improve reliability, operational efficiency, and to increase production capacity. These projects represent a further $10 MM investment in Amite BioEnergy’s future as a competitive manufacturer of wood pellets and a partner to the surrounding communities of Mississippi.

Drax Biomass is also contributing to the revitalization of the local wood products sector, which has suffered in recent years from the closure of several large-scale paper mills. Drax Biomass is committed to expanding its positive presence and supporting the communities in which it operates by promoting sustainable forestry and investing in local economic development.