GLOSTER, Mississippi – As part of its ongoing commitment to the Gloster community, renewable energy company Drax is excited to introduce the inaugural members of the Gloster Community Advisory Panel. The Panel, first announced in April 2024, was created to help Drax deepen its engagement with the local community around its Amite pellet production facility, provide it with a regular opportunity to hear concerns and feedback from residents and more effectively respond to their needs.
The Panel will hold its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, July 31 and will be comprised of community leaders and citizens who have a shared interest and desire in making the town of Gloster an even greater place for everyone to call home. The members are a diverse representation of the community, including local business owners, faith leaders, non-profits, and those working in education & health care. The panel will help identify priority issues and projects to be supported through the Gloster Community Fund and will help inform Drax’s future community initiatives in the region.
The Gloster Community Advisory Panel is made up of the following Gloster community members:
- Velicia Anderson, Gloster Branch Manager, Public Library
- Vivica Hoover, Local Business Owner
- Christy Havard, Field Health System Gloster Clinic
- Linda Campbell, Retired School Teacher
- Inez Bell, Elementary School Teacher & Gloster Alderman, District 3
- Jackie Robinson, MS , District 3 Commander, Quartermaster, VFW Post 4934
- Larry Veal, Sweet Home Baptist Church Deacon
- Lauren George, Community Manager, Drax
- Crystal Murray, Gloster Community Liaison, Drax
- Michelli Martin, Communications Manager, Drax
“Effective corporate engagement and giving is a key pillar of our community approach and reflects Drax’s commitment to being a good neighbor and making a positive contribution in the communities where we operate,” said Matt White, Executive Vice President of Pellet Operations, Drax. “We believe working closely with members of the community will help determine the best projects for Gloster’s citizens and identify ways for Drax to provide educational support, recreational space, and opportunities for community involvement as key areas of interest. This group will also be a great way for us to hear what is on the minds of our neighbors and ensure we can support and respond to their needs as quickly as possible.”
In addition to the Community Advisory Panel, Drax has also created a dedicated Gloster webpage (drax.com/gloster) to provide even greater transparency and engagement with the Gloster community. The webpage includes answers to frequently asked questions, news about the Amite pellet plant, career fairs, employment information and videos that showcase Drax’s ongoing activities within the community. The page will be updated regularly and will be updated with a virtual video tour of the pellet plant later this summer.
Quick Facts about the Gloster Community Advisory Panel
- GCAP includes 7 representatives from the Gloster community and three representatives from Drax.
- Will meet approximately four times per year, and no less than two times per year and members will serve two-year terms.
- A representative from Drax will chair the meetings and a representative from Drax will take minutes of the meetings
- Inaugural meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 31.
Contact Information:
Michelli Martin
Communications Manager, US
318-372-3988
[email protected]
About Drax
Drax Group’s purpose is to enable a zero carbon, lower cost energy future and in 2019 announced a world-leading ambition to be carbon negative by 2030, using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technology.
Drax’s approximately 3,000 employees operate across three principal areas of activity – electricity generation, electricity sales to business customers and compressed wood pellet production and supply to third parties. For more information, visit www.drax.com.
