The Greater Grenada Partnership has announced its strategic collaboration with Highland Grenada LLC, marking its largest capital investment industrial project in the organization’s history with a timber-related business.
Highland Grenada, an affiliate of Highlands Pellets LLC, set its sights on Grenada with the acquisition of the former GP OSB site — a 144-acre expanse that will soon become the city’s inaugural green energy project and wood pellet producer.
Mississippi Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson, a longtime advocate of expanding the state’s timber industry, welcomes the collaboration.
“I applaud the effort of the Greater Grenada Partnership in bringing Highland Timber, LLC to the state of Mississippi,” Gipson said. “Timber is the leading agricultural commodity in over half of Mississippi counties and is the third largest commodity in the state, so I am excited to hear of further growth in our timber industry.”
The Highland Group, based in Arkansas, has a proven track record of responsibly deriving wood fiber from sources such as forest thinning and residual waste wood provided by local sawmills.
Removing smaller trees to prevent overcrowding and improve forest health, or thinning, is a vital component for long-term forest fire prevention and healthy forests. The practice not only aids in the long-term health and vitality of the forests but also contributes to the local economy by creating jobs and supporting the wider forestry economy.
Beyond environmental conservation, Highland actively engages with local communities by creating employment opportunities and sourcing quality pulpwood from local landowners, supporting the wider forestry economy, including loggers, truckers, rail workers, and landowners.
The wood pellets produced will be efficiently transported by train to nearby rail spurs, rivers, and ports. This optimized transport network not only reduces emissions but also facilitates the timely delivery of high-specification pellets to global markets, positioning Grenada as a responsible and dependable supplier of fuel for renewable energy.
