A New York City biodiesel maker is expanding its operation at its Connecticut location. This story from the Connecticut Post says Tri-State’s operation, Bridgeport Biodiesel, which Tri-State bought last year, had a groundbreaking ceremony for a 12,000-square-foot addition.
With the added capacity, the company’s workforce will increase from five employees to 25 next year. Construction should begin within the next 60 days and is expected to last about six months, according to Robert Hauer, plant manager for the Bridgeport facility.
“We’re adding a couple hundred thousand gallons of biodiesel storage, making it a central hub for distribution of biodiesel in the region,” said Brent Baker, CEO at Tri-State Biodiesel.
The $4 million project is being financed with help from a $2.5 million loan from the National Development Council’s Grow America Fund. The fund also partnered with the JPMorgan Chase Foundation’s Collaboratives Program.
Tri-State Biodiesel makes the green fuel from waste cooking oil. This latest addition will allow the company go from making 3 million gallons a year to 10 million gallons. The timing is perfect, too, as two years ago, New York City instituted a 2 percent biodiesel requirement throughout the city, and the city’s fleet of cars are now going to a 5 percent blend.