Biomass plant coming to Heard Co.

Rollcast Energy of Charlotte, NC., says they plan will build a biomass plant in Heard County, in western Georgia.

The plant, named Greenway Renewable Power, will consume old lumber, wood scraps, and other biomass wood waste to produce 50 megawatts, enough energy to supply 13,000 homes, according to Rollcast.

The $150 million facility is slated for completion in 2010, and will be built near Franklin. It is expected to employ around 25 people.

Georgia Power says they plan to buy 100-percent of the plant's output, as part of a 15-year contract with Rollcast.

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Kia car plant driving local development

Two companies are investing in a new business park close to a planned Kia Motors plant in Harris County.

The Columbus Chamber of Commerce says that two firms plan to spend $11 million dollars on the venture, and employ 140 people. One of the companies will produce water valves and pipe fittings for the Kia plant.

The decision is part of a hoped-for wave of investments and state-backed development surrounding the one-point-two billion dollar assembly plant.

The move was announced on Tuesday at a groundbreaking ceremony for the North West Harris Business Park.

Kia officials say the plant, set to open in 2009 will employ nearly 3,000 workers and produce 300,000 vehicles annually. It will be the automaker's first US production facility.

Kia Motors recently pulled a half billion dollar bond sale for the West Point facility, initially spooking investors.

More on that story is here.

Heard Co. vandals release 1 million gallons of water

Officials in Heard County say vandals over the weekend tampered with 15 fire hydrants in the area, and released at least one-million gallons of water. The suspects could face up to 10 years in prison. Federal Homeland Security laws prohibit tampering with a public utility.

Heard County is one of four in the state banning all outdoor watering. The county recently has had its two main sources of water nearly dry-up, and has had to buy water from neighboring Carroll County.

Heard County runs dry

A county in west Georgia says its’ two water sources have dried up because of the drought. Heard County officials banned all outdoor water use over a month ago. Since then, the county has measured only an inch-and-a-half of rain in the past 40 days. The county’s solutions including the Public Works Department installing pumps in a quarry to draw out water. Heard County is also buying water from next- door Carroll County.