Media Release : April 2, 2007 - A huge demand for biodiesel is brewing in East Tennessee and all across the country. Americans are simply fed up with OPEC and our nation's dependence on foreign oil. However, because there is currently no way to satisfy all of that demand, more folks from the Volunteer State are stepping up to tackle this seemingly impossible problem. This time, though, a Christian based nonprofit is helping to lead the way.

“We want to work to strengthen our nation, help build the economy and support the local farming community. In addition, we want to help hundreds of millions of other people all around the world experiencing a lack of energy, food and economic hope to do the same.” Those are the bold words of Jeff McCarroll, Executive Director of G.C. Coterie, Inc. - the new organization spearheading this massive undertaking.

Mr. McCarroll, a Loudon County resident that generally describes himself as “quiet and somewhat introverted,” co-founded a Christian nonprofit group known as the Great Commission Coalition nearly four years ago. According to Mr. McCarroll, “The GCC has been well blessed, and thanks to the support and involvement of a great many people, we are now working either directly or indirectly in 16 different nations, with thousands upon thousands of converts coming to know Christ each week and being systematically discipled.” Now, Mr. McCarroll is working to support that group's overall mission by building and operating a $40+ million dollar R&D Bio-Center through this spin-off nonprofit.

“We are calling this initiative a Sustainable Enterprise Ministry. For now at least, biodiesel is not a sustainable enterprise. New technologies like growing algae for feedstock are going to be required to make the biodiesel industry sustainable over the long-term. And, that is where we come in. We are going to build and operate an industrial-scale production center with R&D capabilities. Although we won't be able to produce much more than 1-2 million gallons of biodiesel annually in East Tennessee from locally grown soybeans and other oilseed crops, we will eventually learn how to expand that capacity with new feedstocks like algae. Then, we will work to share and utilize that technology here at home and all around the world.”

Quiet or not, Mr. McCarroll's passion for this new work definitely has him energized, as he continues to explain, “Our vision is much larger than just producing biodiesel, however. We have identified several operating synergies that can be shared across the energy, agricultural and waste management sectors - more specifically between biodiesel refining, intensive aquaculture, and electricity generation through highly efficient, clean-burning wood gasification power plants using waste wood as a fuel source.”

According to Mr. McCarroll, the new bio-center will be a vertically-integrated company that essentially encompasses three different industries. Those industries include soybean processing and biodiesel production, large-scale indoor Tilapia farming and hydroponics, and power generation. “Each of those industries have brand new and emerging technologies on the horizon that are ready to be perfected and deployed.” And as Mr. McCarroll puts it, “The GCC is ready to take on that roll. You see, God didn't tell us to just go and make disciples. He also told us to love and help our fellow man. Undertaking this project and learning to use these new technologies will enable us to do that better and in a very large way.”

The company, which will eventually employ up to 100 people, hopes to locate in Loudon County, but is currently exploring a number of site options for feasibility. Financing for the project will involve tax-exempt bonds, a revolving line-of-credit, and private equity from an affiliated for-profit blender that will contract for the company's biofuel production. The company expects to break ground on the new bio-center late this fall.

Future research planned for the bio-center will involve catalyst development for hydrogen production; carbon dioxide sequestration and mitigation; production of algae for both food and biodiesel; cellulosic ethanol production; and water purification and conservation. In time, the company will expand its overall reach by working with others in co-op fashion to increase the delivery of those goods and services. “This is an enormous initiative, but our plans are realistic and our intentions are honorable,” says Mr. McCarroll, “so we are inviting everyone to participate with us. Public interest in what we are doing is already running very high, and we know that many more individuals, businesses, agencies and other nonprofits will want to partner with us to help accomplish this vitally important work.” Anyone that would like to know more about the company's plans and how to get involved may contact Mr. McCarroll by email at gccdirect at charter.net or by phone at 865-809-1271.