“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
As a business leader, I believe our greatest strength lies not only in what we build, but in how we serve. For the last 10 years, Drax has called the town of Gloster home. I have had the honor of serving as Executive Vice President of Pellet Operations for the past five years, and in that time, I have come to know some of the finest people anywhere, right here in Amite County and across Southwest Mississippi.
I want to take a moment to share why our presence here matters, not just as a company, but as a committed neighbor and partner. We are proud to provide stable, meaningful employment to local residents, and we prioritize working with regional suppliers and landowners. Every job we create and every dollar we invest helps strengthen this local economy and support the livelihoods of hardworking Mississippi families.
At Drax, we also believe service goes beyond the workplace. In the last two years, we have committed $250,000 to create the Gloster Community Fund, supporting programs that make a real difference right here at home. Through the Gloster Community Advisory Panel, local stakeholders help us identify priority needs and projects, from youth programs to school initiatives to community clean-up efforts.
We also understand that industry must respect and reflect community values. There has been a lot said about our operations, but here are the facts: we do not use hazardous chemicals in our process. We are a wood biomass manufacturing facility focused on safety for our employees, our neighbors, and our environment. We are a heavily regulated business, and we report to agencies including OSHA, the EPA, and MDEQ.
Transparency is not just a word for us; it is how we operate. In addition to our Drax Group U.S. Facebook page, we have launched www.drax.com/gloster, where anyone can reach out to us directly with questions or concerns.
Our goal is simple: to grow responsibly, to create opportunity, and to continue building a cleaner, stronger, and more resilient Mississippi.
On October 14 and 15, we will go before the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality’s Permit Board to renew our permit, an important step that will allow us to continue providing good-paying jobs, community investment, and environmental leadership for years to come.
We are proud to be part of Gloster’s story and even prouder to be part of its future. Thank you for welcoming us, supporting us, and walking with us. Together, we are building something that will stand the test of time.
Matt White, Executive Vice President, Pellet Operations
Drax North America
