Emporia Receives the First BDO Zone Rating in Kansas: a BBB Rating for its Corn Stover Reserves

The Emporia Regional Development Association (RDA) is proud to announce that Emporia-Lyon County was the first region in Kansas to receive a Bioeconomy Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone designation. BDO Zones are designed to highlight the newest and best regions for bio-based development and investment. Emporia was recognized for its corn stover reserves, which earned the region a BBB rating.

“We take great pride in participating in the BDO Zone rating because we have an abundance of natural resources,” says Jim Witt, Interim President of Emporia RDA. “Along with Lyon County, the surrounding 10-county region is a hotbed of agricultural production and research. We want to use those resources in a productive manner.”  

Learn more about the BDO Zone designation and why the organization chose to highlight Emporia as a leader in corn stover. 

What is the BDO Zone?  

The BDO Zone initiative certifies regional readiness in bio-manufacturing. This allows it to create global connections and promote clean energy opportunities. Essentially, by elevating Emporia as a high-potential region for bio-manufacturing, the BDO Zone can help bio-manufacturing firms discover this region and understand the value of investing here.

“BDO Zones are meant to send clear and powerful signals to developers and investors as to where the best locations are to site their next projects,” says Aryn Garswood, head of the BDO Zone Initiative. “These ratings serve as bullseye on the map for bio-based project development.”

BDO Zones undergo a rigorous due diligence period during which experts review 100 different risk indicators, which are based on a nationally accredited and standardized framework. There are three pillars of BDO Zone designations:

• Feedstock supplies: there must be at least 50,000 tons of feedstock that is underutilized or available for incoming developers.  
• Committed suppliers: there is an existing supply chain from local farmers and agriculture companies. 
• Sound infrastructure: there is suitable transportation, utilities, and logistics in place for new construction. A strong workforce is also required.  

BDO Zone ratings are used when evaluating standards for biomass supply chain risk. 

Why Emporia Was Awarded the BDO Zone BBB Rating

Representatives at the BDO Zone evaluate different parts of the country to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different regions. Emporia's BBB rating highlights how the region stands above the rest in processing corn stover.

Here are a few reasons why Emporia stood out for its corn stover:

• There isn’t much competition for stover. Most crop residues are used for animal bedding, and stover is low-nutrition and not often used for animal feed. The greatest factor in bailing corn stover is soil sustainability and Emporia’s history of bailing hay uniquely positions it to take advantage of stover harvesting. 
• The BDO Zone recognized key available industrial sites that already have utilities in place. Bio-manufacturing companies moving to the area can quickly become operational. 
• Plenty of road infrastructure is in place. Emporia’s strategic location means companies can easily access Maryland and California.

“What’s unique about this region is that the livestock production has a history of bailing hay, which is not very common when talking about agricultural BDO Zones,” says Bob Lima, Project Director at Ecostrat. “The experience in bailing is a great starting point for a bioproduct coming into the region. Having experienced operators with existing equipment is an asset.”

Not only does Emporia have crops and harvesting processes that bio-manufacturing companies need, but it also has industrial sites and existing infrastructure to seamlessly build supply chains.

Learn More About Value-Add Agriculture in Emporia

Emporia, Kansas ranks fifth in the state for total agriculture output. Each year, this county is responsible for $2.34 billion in agriculture production – and there’s room for more. The BDO Zone designation highlights how Emporia has the processes, available sites, and infrastructure in place for even more bio-manufacturing investment. With 5,459 residents already working in agriculture, food, and food processing, staffing is easier than ever.

Discover Emporia, Kansas, and see how your organization can thrive here. Learn what the BDO Zone distinction already proves: that our region is your best choice for bio-manufacturing expansion.