Noble County Lands State's First BDO Zone Investment-Grade Rating
Noble County in Indiana has become the state's first Biofuel Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone to receive an investment-grade rating, securing its position as a prime location for bio-based industrial development in the Midwest.
The 'A' rating, issued in early September, indicates that the region can sustainably supply 475,000 bone dry tons of corn stover annually to feedstock-hungry bioprocessing facilities. This certification is based on the region's feedstock availability, supply chain logistics, and infrastructure capacity.
The BDO Zone Initiative recognizes Noble County's strong agricultural infrastructure, production maturity, and proximity to shovel-ready industrial sites within a 75-mile radius centered on Ligonier, Indiana. The rating reflects the interplay of agricultural supply and industrial infrastructure, with Noble County's long history of corn production ensuring reliable feedstock availability.
The region's low utilisation of corn stover, a biomass byproduct typically left in fields, means abundant supply redundancy with minimal transportation distances, a key economics driver for processing facilities. The anchor site is Ligonier Industrial Park, a 10-acre, shovel-ready facility zoned for industrial use.
Tara Streb, interim executive director of Be Noble Inc., highlighted the convergence of factors: 'Noble County offers the key ingredients for successful bio-based investment: abundant feedstock, experienced producers, and site-ready infrastructure.'