SAMPSON COUNTY, N.C. -- A company that creates energy from poultry litter has selected Sampson County for its next plant.

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Fibrowatt announced Wednesday that it will build a new plant in Sampson County -- its first plant in North Carolina. This will be the second plant of its kind in the nation.

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The plant will be located in the middle of North Carolina's poultry industry.

According to the company's press release, the plant will offer three benefits:

• A new source of biomass energy, helping the state meet its commitment to renewable energy and providing important greenhouse gas benefits
• An alternative, beneficial use for poultry litter that will reduce a grower’s exclusive reliance on land application
• The creation of about 100 new jobs in the Sampson County area

Jeff Wilson, chairman of the Sampson County Board of Commissioners, said the plant will bring jobs and tax revenue to the county.

"We’re delighted that a Fibrowatt plant is coming to eastern North Carolina," he said. "The citizens of Sampson County have been very supportive of this project and have worked hard to bring this important development to our area."

The plant will be built on a 300-acre site just off Interstate 40 and NC 403 near the town of Faison. Construction is expected to begin in 2009 and the 100-acre plant will open in 2011.

In October 2007, Fibrowatt opened the nation’s first power plant fueled by poultry litter in
Benson, Minn. The $202 million project generates 55 megawatts of power, enough electricity to power 40,000 homes.

Fibrowatt selected the Sampson County site after a year-long evaluation process. Fibrowatt held an open house meeting in Sampson County in December 2007 where county residents had an opportunity to learn about the Fibrowatt solution. 

In August 2007, North Carolina passed a renewable energy bill that requires utilities to increase their use of renewable resources, including poultry litter, beginning in 2012.