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Developer pitches Magoffin County fuel-production plant, cites job and production estimates
Summary
A business representative proposed siting a synthetic-fuel plant in Magoffin County, saying a 10‑acre site could create roughly 51–72 jobs in five years and produce thousands of gallons of fuel per day from natural gas; the court heard the proposal and asked for site details and due diligence.
A business representative outlined plans for a proposed synthetic-fuel facility in Magoffin County’s industrial park, saying the project could create local jobs and produce a range of liquid fuels from natural gas.
The proponent said the initial site footprint under consideration is roughly 10 acres and projected 51–72 Magoffin County jobs in the first five years, with starting wages “about $37 an hour.” He described the technology as a Fischer–Tropsch–style process that uses natural gas as a feedstock and said a single 400‑kilowatt unit using approximately 750,000 cubic feet of natural gas per day could make about 5,500 gallons of fuel per day.
“Magoffin County fuel made by Magoffin County people,” the speaker said, adding the fuel could be used in school buses, county trucks and other local fleet vehicles. He stated units cost about $15,000,000 each and that two units have already been ordered and personally funded; the first was expected to arrive in spring of the next year.
The presenter claimed the product would be “75% cleaner” than conventional fuel and said it would raise miles per gallon for diesel vehicles; he also acknowledged technical constraints—diesel engines require a certain carbon content for lubrication and the project would blend carbon back into the product to avoid equipment damage.
The court asked questions about site access, storage and expansion; the proponent said site-selection due diligence was targeted to finish by June 30 and that a local contact (John Black) would assist with site work. No procurement, zoning or formal approval was requested at the meeting; the presentation was informational and the court did not vote on the project.
Why it matters: If pursued, the project could bring private investment and new manufacturing jobs to Magoffin County, but the court and public will need environmental, engineering and regulatory details and independent verification of employment and emissions claims.
Next steps: The proponent said he would provide a project timeline and bring technical experts to future meetings as the due-diligence process progresses.
