Montauk Renewables officially opened its facility in Turkey Tuesday, marking the culmination of a nearly five-year process to bring the company to eastern Sampson County and begin work aimed at turning swine waste into renewable energy.
At 7401 Turkey Hwy, in what was formerly the Bay Valley Foods Distribution Center, a vision years in the making officially began with the opening of the Montauk Renewables facility.
The project represents an approximately $200 million capital investment in Sampson County. Company officials said the facility uses technology designed to transform swine waste into electricity.
As of the end of August, Montauk had entered into long-term agreements with more than 80 farming locations, giving the company access to more than 415,000 hog spaces targeted for the first phase of development.
Montauk leaders have been working to bring their vision to life in eastern Sampson County since December 2021, and the crowd gathered for the ribbon cutting was buzzing with excitement over what the project could bring to the community. There were cookies decorated with the outline of North Carolina and pigs, and Sampson County’s agricultural community was well represented as leaders gathered under a tent in anticipation of the official kickoff.
Randy Barefoot, Montauk director of Community and Farm Relations, President and CEO Sean McClain and state Sen. Brent Jackson each spoke about the opening and what they hope the project will bring to eastern North Carolina.
Barefoot began his brief remarks by highlighting the nearly five-year journey the company has been on to open its doors. He stressed how much sense it made for Montauk to become a part of “a strong, skilled, deeply rooted agricultural community” like Sampson County because, he said, the company’s values align with the community.
McClain shared his excitement about opening the facility in Turkey, stressing, “We are a company that delivers projects, not promises,” and adding, “We have big plans for our future.”
McClain said the company is thankful for its partnerships with farmers and Sampson County.
“Farmers are the backbone of the North Carolina economy, and we are thankful to partner with them and Sampson County,” McClain said in a company release announcing the opening.
Jackson, a Sampson County farmer who chairs the state Senate’s Agriculture, Energy and Environment Committee, highlighted his time knowing McClain, saying, “There was something different about Sean, he didn’t want no money!”
The senator went on to describe how many people who come to his office with proposals are looking for funding, but McClain, instead, came to him stressing the importance of finding another solution for hog waste and outlining a plan for how the company could make it happen if given the opportunity.
Jackson stressed his excitement about the ripple effects he believes could come from Montauk’s work in Sampson County.
“It has the potential to clean up our waters in southeastern N.C.,” Jackson said.
Jackson also told the crowd he knew McClain was “the real deal” after talking with him about the landfill and realizing McClain already knew the details.
“We’ve got someone for real!” Jackson concluded.
In the company’s announcement of the opening, Jackson also pointed to biochar produced through the project, saying it could improve nutrient and water retention in soil and support crop yields.
After the speeches, the crowd gathered in front of some of the Montauk equipment to cut the ribbon, marking the official opening of the facility and the beginning of the company’s operations in Turkey.