By BILL RICHMOND, Winchester News-Gazette city editor
Randolph County Economic Development Foundation Director Greg Beumer Wednesday briefed members of county council about an investment group looking to establish an ethanol plant in the area.
Beumer said it is his understanding that the investment group looking to build the plant has narrowed its search to six possible sites in a three-county area. Two of the sites under consideration are in Randolph County. He said the plant would create 35 jobs; 12 or so of which are highly specialized and would likely hired from outside the area.
"There are as many as six or seven of these ethanol projects that are in various stages of either development or discussion throughout the state," Beumer said.
Council member Carlton Clevenger said he is in favor of the the county really looking into finding a way to help establish the ethanol plant in Randolph County.
"We're going to have to do something to keep the local economy going," Clevenger said.
Council member Bill Terrell said most people think they are in favor of the ethanol plant but they don't want it in their neighborhood.
"It has to be in somebody's neighborhood," Terrell said.
Council members agreed to schedule a joint session meeting with the County Board of Commissioners to work out the details of an incentive plan to be offered to the ethanol plant investment group.