Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Milestones Nearing For New Incinerator, Housing Developments
A total of 20 brand new electric forklifts await use following the mid-October startup of the new rotary kiln incinerator at Clean Harbors, Inc. The forklifts will move drums containing materials to be placed in the incinerator.
Clean Harbors, Inc. is on track to have a big September and October to celebrate its expansion projects. The projects include housing developments, workforce housing, an apartment complex and a new incinerator.
The most significant undertaking, the new $215 million rotary kiln incinerator, is set to commence operations in mid-October. Originally estimated at $185 million in 2019, the project's budget has experienced a 10% to 11% cost increase due to inflation, additional features and design enhancements. This incinerator is a pivotal addition to operations, and Clean Harbors is excited to share its progress with community.
According to Executive Vice President Paul Whiting, at one point 175 people were working on the newest incinerator project. About 100 contractors are on site now, with a projection of 25-30 continuing to be on site. The major work is done, and now they are preparing and concreting the area around the incinerator and the pollution control area. Whiting said the ribbon cutting will occur in mid-October.
The ribbon cutting will be a star-studded event with an invitation to the governor as well as state senators, and of course Clean Harbors corporate officials will be there for the event.
The rotary kiln incinerator is a copy of that used at Kimball's sister plant in Arkansas, which was built in 2017. Both plants have the capacity to burn 70,000 tons of waste a year. This includes drummed waste and soil contaminated by chemical spills.
Other projects in the making from Clean Harbor are the workforce housing mobile homes with 50 units now at Stahla's trailer park just north of Kimball. Whiting said they are working with a location for 50 more mobile homes. Cleans Harbors leases the mobile homes from a company with a 2-3 year lease for the employee.
After a 2-3 year lease, CleanHarbors hopes the employees will invest in permanent housing, hence the Lighthouse district. The Lighthouse district is located off Highway 71 just west of Ace Hardware. A temporary road has been constructed, and they are waiting for the final design for utilities from the city of Kimball. Two model homes await at the old Castronics site to be moved and placed in the Lighthouse district as show homes for people to view. The Lighthouse district will be open to anyone, but Clean Harbors employees will benefit from a price reduction on the lot and use that equity to make a downpayment on the home.
Finally, the 16-unit apartment complex across from Kimball County Manor is scheduled to be available by the end of September. The apartments have a waiting list of employees. The apartment complex continues to take shape with dirt work and the beautiful addition of a Farmer's Porch on each building.
According to Whiting, the addition of a rotary kiln project was a choice between Kimball and a location in Utah. He said the Nebraska location was chosen, primarily due to the exceptional workforce members, their dedication to their roles, and their unwavering commitment to safety.
He said Clean Harbors' starting wage is $26.50 an hour, "a testament to our commitment to our employees' well-being."
Whiting also touted the importance of KCTS for Clean Harbors as it provides transportation for employees to Kimball. He said they transport 45 employees from Cheyenne, Scottsbluff/Gering, and Sidney to work at the plant south of Kimball.
Clean Harbors is eagerly anticipating the ribbon cutting in mid-October, a long-awaited and exciting milestone in its journey. Those involved look forward to sharing this momentous occasion with members of the community.
