More new jobs are on the way to Wilkes, as an alternative energy company is locating its operations here. No, we aren’t talking about Fibrowatt. A partnership between Industrial Process Solutions and Bixby Energy will employ up to 120 people manufacturing a device that converts coal to natural gas more efficiently than current methods do. Sherman Aaron is the inventor:

The process is different from current coal gasification because it super heats the coal or other material such as solid waste or chicken litter, rather than setting it on fire as current technology does. Bixby will actually do the manufacturing, in the former mirror factory in North Wilkesboro. About 9 employees work there currently, but total employment at full production is anticipated to be around 120 people. At an event this afternoon, 5th District Representative Virginia Foxx said the situation is a win-win for everyone involved:

We’ll have more concerning the product and the potential for Wilkes on Monday morning’s 3WC newscasts.