| The Jackson County Green Energy Park is an official Jackson County governmental department, albeit one with a small staff. All five County Commissioners and the County Manager are in full support of the project, and have deemed it “the most exciting project to ever come to Jackson County.” |
 ROJECT SUMMARY
The Jackson County Green Energy Park (JCGEP) is a landfill recovery program located in the historic small town of Dillsboro, North Carolina. The JCGEP mission is to offer environmental protection, educational opportunities, and increased economic development to the community through the utilization of landfill gas (LFG) and other clean, renewable energy resources.
JCGEP is redeveloping an abandoned industrial site next to the old Dillsboro landfill, constructing in its place a series of artisan studios (blacksmithing, glass blowing, and pottery), greenhouse space, a biodiesel refinery, classroom and conference space, a café, and a retail gallery. Capture of the landfill gas not only ensures free fuel for JCGEP tenants, but also provides direct, measurable improvements in local air quality.
By making such innovative use of the available LFG resource, the Jackson County Green Energy Park is bringing a wide range of economic, environmental, and educational benefits to the County. The GEP encourages the success of new artisans by acting as a business incubator, offering fully functional studios and free LFG as fuel during their 3-year residencies. Local production and sale of biodiesel provides for significant reductions in diesel emissions, and may provide new energy crop options for local farmers. The GEP will open new opportunities for agriculture/greenhouse businesses by greatly reducing associated energy costs. It will also help to increase eco-tourism and heritage crafts tourism in the area. When fully operational, the GEP will have added 20+ jobs to the local economy, with only two salaries being paid by the County, and the remainder either self-employed artisans or small business owners.
The town of Dillsboro sits along the Tuckaseigee River at the north edge of Jackson County, and is an established destination for tourists seeking authentic heritage crafts. Since the grand opening of Phase 1 in October of 2006, JCGEP has given tours to hundreds of people from all over the world. Visitors have ranged from local youth groups and community members to city planners, state and federal legislators, and visiting international fellows.
PROJECT GOALS
The Jackson County Green Energy Park has three main goals:
Economic Development
- Use LFG as fuel for an economic engine.
- Encourage new artisans by reducing start-up & energy costs.
- Open up new opportunities for existing businesses.
- Increase eco-tourism and heritage crafts tourism in the area.
- Increase media coverage to put Jackson County “on the map”.
- “Energy crops” will offer farmers additional source of income.
- 20 jobs created once fully operational.
Environmental Protection
- Prevent methane from escaping into the environment.
- Reduce overall energy impact of project.
- Remove odors caused by leaking LFG.
- Capture “waste” heat from kilns and furnaces to reduce overall gas use.
- Transform a trash-covered eyesore into a beautiful public place.
Education
- Present hands-on demonstrations of renewable energy, energy conservation, and sustainable building materials.
- Offer introductory and advanced training in pottery, glass blowing, and blacksmithing.
- Demonstrate hydroponics and other new agriculture techniques to the public.
- Provide educational opportunities in plant propagation, greenhouse operations, and plant identification.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jackson County Green Energy Park
(828) 631-0271
www.jcgep.org
Timm Muth – Director tmuth(at)jacksonNC.org
Carrie Blaskowski – Assistant Director cbsanks(at)yahoo.com
William Rogers – Consulting Master Blacksmith williamrogersmetals(at)hotmail.com
Tracy Bochnak – Graduate Assistant, WCU Fine Arts Program tmac4ever(at)yahoo.com
TOURS
We’re always glad to talk with folks about our project, answer questions about renewable energy and biofuels, and consider recommendations for future additions to the Green Energy Park. Educating the public is one of our main goals at JCGEP, and tours are available Wednesdays and Fridays from 2–4 pm. JCGEP will also accommodate tours of 10 or more by appointment.
As part of the tour, visitors will learn the mission of the Park, JCGEP's past accomplishments, and future plans. The walking portion of the tour will include visits to the landfill gas system, the newly operational greenhouses, the future site of the pottery and glassblowing facility, and the fully functioning blacksmith studios. Contact the Park to find out when a blacksmith will be on site for demonstrations.
MAP & DIRECTIONS
JCGEP is located in Dillsboro, NC, approximately one mile from the intersection of highways 74 and 441.
From Asheville and points East: Take I-40 west to Exit #27 (US Hwy 74). Continue west for approximately 19 miles. Take Exit #81 (Dillsboro exit) onto US Hwy 441 South. At first stoplight turn right (at the Huddle House) onto Haywood Rd. Go approximately ½ mile and turn right onto Green Energy Park Rd. Enter through the 2nd gate on the right and proceed to the Visitor’s Center.
From Atlanta and points South: Take US Hwy 441 North to Dillsboro. Upon entering Dillsboro turn left (at the Huddle House) onto Haywood Rd. Go approximately ½ mile and turn right onto Green Energy Park Rd. Enter through the 2nd gate on the right and proceed to the Visitor’s Center.
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Jackson County