An ad hoc committee has been studying the possibility of developing a biomass project in the county. The biomass project would use a digester system to turn feedstock such as animal and packing plant waste into biogas, including methane, and fertilizer.

Keys to the project are having a consistent supply of feedstock and a market for the biogas and the fertilizer.

Don Luensmann, executive director of the CDC, said he has received a list of firms that would do feasibility studies from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Luensmann stated a deadline of March 15 would be set to receive the proposals from the firms. The ad hoc would meet after March 15 to study the proposals.

The CDC is still waiting to hear back on grants to fund the feasibility study. One of the grants is through the Iowa Attorney General's Office and the other is through USDA Rural Development. Each grant could be for as much as $25,000. Luensmann said the total cost of the feasibility study could be as much as $50,000.

He stated the proposals could be rejected if there is not money at that time to fund the cost.

"The reality is if we had the money and didn't like the proposals, we could reject them. We are not required to accept any of the proposals," Luensmann explained. "We are trying to move the project down the road. It's important to have momentum and for us to maintain that."

He continued if both grants were awarded, the CDC would be able to fund the feasibility study entirely through grant money. Luensmann said there is the possibility of funding the feasibility study partially through grant money and through private money, if only one of the grants is awarded, or entirely through private money if neither of the grants is awarded. In the latter event, Luensmann stated there is the possibility that the DNR and the CDC could put some money toward a feasibility study and that private industries and businesses that would benefit from having a biomass project in the county could be contacted.