The smell of money.

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
June 22, 2017 1:43 p.m.

 

Newcomers and visitors to Nassau County and Fernandina Beach are not always aware of much about our two local mills other than their smokestacks occasional occasionally emit whiffs of unusual, chemical based odors. When they ask locals about the smell, they are often told with a smile, “Why, that’s the smell of money.” And the locals are spot on.

Source: Nassau County Economic Development Board

A study produced by the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in late 2016 provided an in-depth view of the value and contributions to the local and regional economy of the mills. The 26-page sponsored project report, entitled Economic Impacts of Rayonier Advanced Materials and WestRock Forest Product Manufacturing Operations in Fernandina Beach, Florida, is available in its entirety on the web at http://nassaufloridastudy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Economic-Impacts-of-Rayonier-and-WestRock.pdf .

The report presents the combined results of an economic impact analysis completed for both companies. The analysis considered annual operating revenues, direct employment, and capital improvement expenditures during 2013-15. Rayonier Advanced Materials had direct employment of 340 fulltime equivalent jobs, and capital improvements valued at $48.6 million during 2013-2015. WestRock directly employed 869 persons in the linerboard mill and box plant operations, and made capital improvements valued at $48.0 million during 2013-2015.

Some of the more interesting graphs and findings are presented below.

In commenting on this study, Nassau County Economic Development Executive Director Laura DiBella wrote, “According to the study, forest product manufacturers WestRock and Rayonier Advanced Materials support over 4,000 local jobs and contribute $1.2 billion annually to the local economy—accounting for 21.3% of Nassau County’s GDP. The study demonstrates the importance of local manufacturing in creating jobs, generating economic activity and reducing the tax burden on Nassau County residents.”

Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.

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John Moore
John Moore (@guest_49090)
6 years ago

We are fortunate to have such good corporate citizens on our island to provide jobs, tax income and long term stability. They were here long before any of us decided to make this our home and the cooking smell was here also.
Can the city, state and other government agencies help them to reduce cooking odors by sponsoring long term bonds? It is possible to eliminate them based on capture and burn technology used in other mills.

Patricia Taylor
Patricia Taylor(@navymom09)
6 years ago

Hooray for Susan Thamm, shedding sunlight on a local “treasure” that I’ve heard so many deride.

Every time I bike or drive by the full parking lot at Westrock I thank heaven that there’s still real American manufacturing going on, supporting the local populace through wages and their pro-active community involvement here in Fernandina.

The white noise from the plant is music to my ears in Old Town and the sight of the towering stacks is my daily indicator of which way the wind is blowing. We are a very “real” community with every facet of American life (including marine, military, manufacturing , medical & mini-malls) demographically represented and participating in the life of the island.