CLEARFIELD – On Tuesday, the Clearfield County Commissioners announced that they had received $2 million through the Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program grant, which was previously awarded from the state. The board then agreed to apply for the funding to be used toward a cellulosic biomass ethanol research center in Curwensville.
Commissioner Joan Robinson-McMillen indicated that Helios Scientific LLC is interested in opening the research center. She said the $2 million was originally to be used for a biomass conversion center project but in a Lawrence Township location.
That project, however, didn’t pan out for SWAN Biomass Inc., an Illinois-based company. As a result, they are now requesting for the state to transfer the grant to the Curwensville project, she said.
According to prior GantDaily reports from 2007, the $2 million grant was authorized via the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. It was a result of a capital budget request submitted by state Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 Clearfield County, a year prior.
In addition, construction of the Clearfield-based biorefinery was then expected to start in late 2008. Once completed, the original biomass conversion center was expected to hire six highly trained workers and offer another 33 prospective jobs.