Rogers says plant on its way

Oceanic Petroleum and OZT Holding officials have confirmed intentions to establish a tire recycling plant in Warren County, according to County Executive Kenneth Rogers. Rogers announced Thursday the plant should be in production sometime next year, and all that remains is to find a suitable site for the operation and secure a steady supply of raw materials.

‘The ball is in our court,” Rogers said. ‘It’s up to us now.”

Rogers feels there are buildings in the county that could work, but that it may take some time to work out the details between the owners and OZT Holding. Rogers says he feels there are enough available potential sites that finding one should not be a major obstacle.

In the meeting held between OZT Holding and regional officials Tuesday night, company officials emphasized the plant would need a minimum of one million tires per year to operate. Rogers says he feels he can get commitments to supply at least that amount, although no definite agreements have been established as yet.

‘I plan to work with all the 14 counties in the Upper Cumberland region,” said Rogers, ‘and I think we can come up with that many just from those counties.”

Rogers says he hopes to eventually bring in all 95 counties in the state as suppliers and will be working with the governor’s office to do that. He did note that many counties have current contracts with other recycling companies, some of which are out of state, but feels a centrally located recycling plant could encourage other counties to come on board.

In any case, Rogers said he does have a firm commitment from OZT Holding for the tire recycling plant which, if it is successful, could lead to even more jobs in the county.

‘I think this will be good for Warren County and for the state,” Rogers said.