RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Synergy Biofuels LLC, a start-up biodiesel fuel production company, will invest $1 million to open a facility in Lee County. Synergy Biofuels, which will process used vegetable oil into biodiesel fuel, will create 30 jobs. Virginia successfully competed with Tennessee for the project.
“A new biofuels company that directly affects our energy efficiency needs is directly in line with my energy plan,” said Governor Kaine. “Development of biodiesel and other renewable fuels is critical to our nation’s longevity, and I warmly welcome Synergy Biofuels to Virginia.”
Synergy Biofuels initially plans for three million gallons of annual biodiesel production, which will replace three million gallons of foreign oil with domestically produced biodiesel. It will also keep renewable energy dollars in the Commonwealth by reducing the state's need to purchase imported diesel fuels.
“Lee County has proven to be the perfect place for our biodiesel refinery and is one of the developing counties in Virginia,” said Ankit Patel, CEO and Co-Founder of Synergy Biofuels. “There is a plentiful supply of used vegetable oil around the neighboring areas, and Virginia government provided the most business-friendly climate. We are confident about growing quickly to our goal. Synergy Biofuels is excited about this opportunity and looks forward to a long, valuable relationship with Lee County and the Commonwealth of Virginia."
The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $487,000 from the Southwest Economic Development Committee to assist with the purchase of the building. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Lee County, the Lee County Industrial Development Authority and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority to secure the project for Virginia. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will support the project with training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
“It is always a pleasure to work with VEDP and VCEDA to recruit new industry into our community,” said Quinton Littrell, Chairman of Lee County Industrial Development Authority. “Synergy Biofuels is an excellent client who will provide new technology in renewable fuels for not only the state but also for the county.”