Elkhart is being considered as a possible site for a renewable fuels plant that could create hundreds of new jobs.

“Realistically with the size of this facility, I’m really hoping that we could, over a period of time, (create) at least 100 to 200 jobs,” said Johan C. Smith, President and CEO of Vista International.

Smith says he plans on visiting Elkhart later this week to see the former Bayer complex first-hand.

Smith contends that some of the answers to Elkhart’s unemployment problems may be found in the nearest trash can. “Our process has the capability of taking any waste, doesn’t matter whether it’s municipal solid waste biomass, tires, what have you.”

Smith claims that the waste can be turned into bio-fuel. While Smith’s energy solutions company is based in Colorado, it is thinking of doing business in Elkhart.

“Elkhart is on a list of two or three places—let’s just say Elkhart is one of the top two,” Smith said.

Meantime, the City of Elkhart has already started to hear the environmental concerns of some residents. “It offers jobs, but at what cost?” asked Elkhart Economic Development Director Brian Gildea. “We have to really look at that carefully.”

While Gildea would like to get a first hand look at the type of plant the company is talking about—he can’t.

“Looking at similar type uses, where they do have operations like this set up, and the case with this company is, it doesn’t appear they do in the United States, which is cause for concern. You want to be able to look, feel, and see exactly what these operations consist of.”

Johan Smith says he has worked on projects in other countries. He has plans to head to Elkhart later this week to take a first hand look at the former Bayer complex.

“Whatever they've done in the past (at the Bayer site) we would be far safer and more environmentally cautious and safe than anything that's ever been done in that facility before,” Smith said.

Smith added that his company could still shift its focus in Elkhart to something more manufacturing related, like low speed wind turbines, or energy efficient lighting.