POMEROY–Palouse Fiber, LLC will utilize a $9 million investment to redevelop former Columbia Pulp properties and build a scalable manufacturing platform in Washington State, integrating industrial symbiosis with renewable energy infrastructure.
The investment combines state funding from the Washington State Department of Commerce, including $432,000 from the Industrial Symbiosis Grant Program for the Garfield County Rural Industrial Circularity Hub project in Pomeroy and over $1.8 million from the Clean Energy Fund for solar power and molded fiber equipment at the Lyons Ferry site in Columbia County, with private capital from the company.
The facilities in Pomeroy, Wash., and Starbuck, Wash., will serve as the foundation for a multi-feedstock processing system designed to replace petroleum-based plastics and reduce lifecycle emissions across supply chains.
These projects mark a major step in revitalizing dormant industrial infrastructure in Garfield and Columbia Counties following Palouse Fiber's acquisition of the former Columbia Pulp properties in 2023.
The developments are expected to support approximately 30 construction jobs and create 18 full-time positions once operational. Construction and commissioning are projected to be completed within 12 to 15 months.
The Pomeroy facility will function as a circular manufacturing hub, converting recycled textiles, agricultural residues, cardboard, and kelp biomass into fiber-based materials and biodegradable products. This integrated approach reduces landfill waste while creating new value streams for regional industries.
At the Lyons Ferry site, Palouse Fiber will develop a molded fiber manufacturing facility, supported by a solar energy system approximately 1,000 MWh annually, helping to power low carbon production of compostable packaging products designed to replace single-use plastics.
"This is about bringing industrial capacity and jobs back to Southeast Washington," said Kyler Lovgren, CEO of Palouse Fiber. "We are taking existing infrastructure and turning it into something modern, scalable, and sustainable-building a foundation for the future of manufacturing."
By combining material recovery, manufacturing, and renewable energy, Palouse Fiber's approach positions the company at the intersection of circular economy innovation and industrial decarbonization.
"This project highlights the importance of investing in rural infrastructure and creating opportunities for long-term growth," said Tina Keller, Port of Garfield Manager. "We're proud to support a development that brings jobs, innovation, and renewed industrial activity to the Port of Garfield."
About Palouse Fiber, LLC
Palouse Fiber, LLC is a Washington-based company focused on developing sustainable fiber-based alternatives to plastics and advancing circular manufacturing systems.