Back in 1987 I nabbed a position as the reporter for a paper
to be named later and became what they called the Hopewell Branch chief. My
job, as it were, was to record the doings and some sayings of Hopewellians and
report them in a journalistic fashion. I served in that capacity for more than
a year, and while that was some time ago I try to keep in touch with what’s
going on to some extent.
During my entire time in Hopewell, the skeleton of the
former Firestone plant lay in disarray on 55 acres of untended property.
Several times over the years, the Hopewell powers that be tried to resurrect
the property. But time after time, for one reason and another, every venture
turned to nothing gained. The property continued to sit in the middle of the
city, looking more like a ghost town than a productive entity.
It seemed to be on its way a few years ago when Osage Bio
Energy LLC bought the property and built the plant. But as way leads onto way,
it wasn’t meant to be. The plant never really got going, and the old eyesore
became the new eyesore.
But what the hey, it’s Hopewell right? The city where nobody
cares.
And yet, that’s not true. Plenty of people care. So when a
new company, Vireol Bio Energy LLC saw the opportunity to pick up an Ethanol
plant at rock bottom prices, they thought it would be a great way to build up
their UK infrastructure. But what happened instead was that they saw an even
better deal. Open the plant right here in Hopewell and fulfill the promises and
dreams of the people who really care in the city.
Get rid of a 30-year old eyesore and turn it into a shining
example of how Hopewell can get things done. The plant is on its way. They
estimate 70 jobs with salaries in the $50,000 range. An area that was a
keystone landmark to the demise of the city will now be a keystone to reuse and
forward thinking.
How much better can it get?
More jobs, an open business, and a viable company to add to
the tax base. The Vireol plant is like any other business, working for a
profit. But like many businesses today, the plant was looking for a little
assistance. They applied for and received an Agricultural and Forestry
Industrial Development grant for $250,000. A matching grant, it required that
Hopewell chip in a like amount.
New plant, new jobs, new tax base, no brainer—right? Maybe
it should be called a resurrection grant. This request should have passed by
acclamation. And yet. And yet. And yet, there are some who would like to hold
off on approving the request or kill the whole deal.
One comment stated that the person “had not seen the
commitment from the company to stay here.” The $13 million it cost to purchase
the plant; the change in plans from moving the plant to the UK and instead
opening it here; the amount of work it takes to push a grant through the
process ought to count for something like commitment, I would think. Remember,
the property sat vacant for nearly 30 years.
Another complaint was that the local citizenry wouldn’t get
the jobs. Really. By that sentiment, Hopewell ought to try to own all the
places where its residents hold jobs—like Richmond or Chesterfield, or even
Prince George or Sussex. Even so, the plant management said 15 to 20 percent of
the workforce lives in Hopewell, as does their Human Resources coordinator.
Some councilor resurrected the problems they had with the
former owner, Osage. But all of that is water over the dam. Vireol is not
Osage, and just because you have problems with one doesn’t mean you will have
problems with the other. Basically, someone needs to get over it.
Still, here you have a company that is ready to get to work.
Everything appears to be a go, and low and behold a minor issue, an issue of
$250,000 is going to stop it? That seems silly to me.
All I can say is kudos to City Council for passing this
request. The money will be well spent. The plant will come on line, and
Hopewell and its citizens will benefit from the plant.
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