NATCHEZ &8212; A biodiesel company in Natchez plans to open in March.

Delta Biodiesel Inc., a company that bought the old Ethyl petroleum plant in Natchez, received its first shipment of soy oil Thursday.

Owner Clint Vegas said the shipment, which was transported by barge from Owensboro, Ky., is the first half of about 1 million gallons of soy oil the company plans to store until the plant comes online.

&8220;We&8217;re extremely excited about receiving our first load because that means we&8217;re fixing to be in business,&8221; Vegas said.

Vegas&8217;s company bought the former Ethyl Petroleum Additive plant in May and are retrofitting it to produce biodiesel.

Vegas also owns Delta Fuels Company, which distributes fuel at branches in Ferriday and several other towns throughout central Louisiana to a large mix of agricultural and commercial clients.

&8220;The first reason I got into (biodiesel production) was to sell back to Delta Fuel and local farmers to give back to the people I&8217;m serving,&8221; Vegas said. &8220;What could be better than selling their product back to them and running it in their tractors and irrigation pumps that help to grow the soybeans?&8221;

Vegas said the second shipment of soy oil would arrive at the facility between Jan. 10-13.

Once the plant opens, Vegas said the company goal is to start in a step process.

The company plans to first produce 15 million gallons of biodiesel per year, eventually reaching its ultimate goal of 100 million gallons a year.

Vegas estimates the plant would employ between 20 and 30 full-time employees when it opens.

The plant already employs seven full-time employees, not counting the 24-hour security guard service, Vegas said.