Biotech Company Sets Sights on Iron Range

Sweetwater Energy Working on Mt. Iron Plant

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It’s a first of its kind operation that is on its way to the Iron Range bringing more than 100 new jobs.

Sweetwater Energy has its sights set on building a plant in Mountain Iron.

The company, based out of Rochester, New York, uses organic material to create different sugars which can be used in a wide range of commercial products including biofuels, biochemical and bio- based plastics.

Sweetwater’s COO, Jack Baron, says there’s a low environmental impact on the area and they use “clean technology.”

Here’s why Baron says they are looking to northern Minnesota:

“Really, you’ve got everything we’re looking for. You’ve got great natural resources because we process wood and wood waste into high value products, you’ve got an educated workforce, you’ve got a technical workforce which is important to us, and you’ve got access to the port of Duluth from there which will allow us to ship to broader markets,” said Baron.

Once the plant is fully up and running, 130 jobs will be available, most being high end technical jobs paying around $50,000 a year.

The company is currently working with state officials to finalize the project.

Sweetwater hopes to have it finished by the end of 2017.