BDO Zone Initiative issues A Rating to Coronach, Sask., for flax straw

The Town of Coronach, the RM of Hart Butte and Ecostrat are pleased to announce the issuance of a new Bioeconomy Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone designation for flax straw.

‘AA’ and ‘A’ BDO Zone ratings identify the areas in the country which are best positioned for low-risk bioeconomy project development. Coronach’s ‘A’ Rating is expected to drive new market development for bioeconomy projects that can utilize the region’s 55,000 oven-dried tons per year of available flax straw.

The Coronach BDO Zone is rated ‘A’, or low risk, based on numerous positive indicators such as a strong surplus of project available biomass, limited competing markets, and a high grower participation rate. The ‘A’ Rating issue indicates that Coronach merits strong consideration as a location for new bio-based project development that requires stable, long-term supplies of flax straw.

“Coronach is a rural community that is being heavily impacted by the federally mandated transition away from coal-generated power. As we navigate through these uncertain times, we are exploring all possibilities to diversify and sustain our economy, and the BDO Zone Initiative allowed us to explore the possibility of flax biomass. We want to make it easy and attractive to new businesses to invest in our area and through this process, we have done the due diligence for investors to provide them with third-party information and confidence to invest in Coronach” says Kelsey Manske, Coronach community development officer.

The BDO Zone extends a 140-km drive distance from Coronach and is centred around the Town, an optimal location for incoming biobased projects.

“We commend Coronach’s vision and dedication to leveraging flax straw as a renewable resource in the clean energy sector,” said Jordan Solomon, chairman of the BDO Zone Initiative. “With an ‘A’ Rating, Coronach has undergone rigorous due diligence and possesses the necessary infrastructure, biomass supply, and local community support to attract new biobased manufacturing plants and create jobs. This rating is a compelling signal to global investors of Coronach’s sustainability and resilience.”