Many times we hear about the government incentives designed to encourage the biodiesel industry, but this story is about something the industry is giving back to one community.
According to this story in the Decatur (Georgia) Daily News, the city of Athens, GA was in need of a sponsor for a family resource center when a local biodiesel producer stepped up to the plate:
Athens City Council President Harold Wales said Melvin Kilgore of Southeast BioEnergy LLC was looking for a project to sponsor when he heard about local leaders seeking seed money to start the center. BioEnergy plans to open its research and development facility in Elm Industrial Park on July 1.
The Limestone County Commission has offered the center space in a building it owns in Crutcher Shopping Center. The resource center would house The Food Bank, Crisis Center and other programs, such as domestic violence prevention and drug rehabilitation.
Community leaders, including District Court Judge Jeanne Anderson, asked the city and county for $26,000 each to fund a director and utilities for the first year. The council had concerns about funding that amount.
Kilgore said he would fund it all… showing how big of heart biodiesel has.