Augusta, Ga.-Southern Ionics officials say they have cleared the first hurdles on the way to building a new plant on a nine-acre site recently acquired here to produce aqua ammonia solutions and sulfite-based solutions. Target markets are chemical, power, and paper industries, as well as agriculture – although it is not a core market. Spokesman Randy Weimer told Green Markets that the city’s engineering services committee has met and will recommend that the Augusta Commission approve rezoning the site to a heavy industrial classification at its Feb. 5 meeting. Earlier, favorable reports were submitted by the city’s environmental engineer on the company’s safety and environmental record and by the county fire department on the chemicals to be manufactured and stored and emergency notification requirements. Although a few residents voiced concerns about the chemicals, Weimer noted, a recent public hearing appeared to resolve questions about Southern Ionics’ plans. Southern Ionics has plants at Baton Rouge, La.; Calhoun, Tenn.; Chickasaw, Ala.; Columbus, Miss.; Lake Charles, La.; Pasadena, Tex; Tuscaloosa, Ala.; and West Point, Miss.
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