PRESS RELEASE:
SWAN RIVER, MANITOBA ISSUED BDO ZONE ‘BBB’ RATING FOR WOODY BIOMASS
– ‘BBB’ Rating in Swan River to unlock markets for woody biomass utilization –
July 18th, 2024 
The BDO Zone Initiative has issued a BDO Zone ‘A’ rating for Swan River, Manitoba for 50,000 oven dry tons per year of woody biomass.
The Town of Swan River and Ecostrat are pleased to announce the issue of an investment grade BDO Zone ‘BBB’ Rating for Woody Biomass. The Swan River BDO Zone is the first rating in the Province of Manitoba and extends a 120-km drive distance from the center point in Swan River, MB.
Swan River’s ‘BBB’ rating indicates a good prospective capacity to support new biobased plant operations and the risk associated with Feedstock Supply and Infrastructure (FS&I) is currently low in the Zone. The region has over three decades of experience in the forest residue supply chain as well as supply assurances under long-term offtake agreements. New bio-projects in the BDO Zone would benefit from significant locational advantages over existing competitors, making it an ideal location for new biomass-based ventures.
“Swan River Valley’s ‘BBB’ rating highlights our regions potential to stand out in the global bioeconomy. The Valley has over 30 years experience in the forest residue supply chain; also, a multitude of by-products are available through our leading agricultural divisions,” stated Derek Poole, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Swan River. “Our central geographic location, connections through major Highways and CN, plus an abundant useable and available Electrical source power make the Swan River Valley an ideal host for investors in the biomass-based production industry.”
Jordan Solomon, Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative added, “As the first BDO Zone Rating for woody biomass in Manitoba, this investment-grade rating will unlock untapped markets for woody biomass utilization.”
To see the full BDO Zone Rating for Swan River, Manitoba please click here, or visit www.bdozone.org.
BDO Zone project development support:
Derek Poole
Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Swan River
dpoole@townsr.ca
204-734-4586 ext. 207
About The BDO Zone Initiative
The BDO Zone Initiative certifies regional readiness for bio-based manufacturing, creates global connections with project developers, and ignites an influx of clean energy opportunities.
A BDO Zone rating is an internationally recognized standards-based technical risk assessment of biomass feedstock, supply chain, and infrastructure risk with respect to the development potential of new biofuel, renewable chemical, biogas, and bioproduct plants. Investment grade ratings attract new bio-based manufacturing plants to the areas where they are most likely to succeed– and create jobs.
For more information on the BDO Zone Initiative, contact info@bdozone.org. To view all BDO Zone ratings, visit www.bdozone.org. Check out the BDO Zone LinkedIn page for news and updates.
Jordan Solomon is Chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative and President of Ecostrat (www.ecostrat.com). He can be reached at jordan.solomon@ecostrat.com. Ecostrat is the North American leader in biomass due diligence for biofuels, renewable chemicals, biogas, and bio-product project development and finance.
