If a municipality can identify the companies that can use this waste as input, it gives them a leg up on their attempts to recruit those companies. These are new ideas that we haven't talked about before. If nothing else, Lockett said that the project has given the sister cities the opportunity to discuss the issues with a broad section of community leaders. Lights were going on in the eyes of the bankers. Martin sees that while the publicly owned properties would have the ability to coordinate linkages between companies, these sites are geared to leasing not selling the land.
Companies are more interested in owning their property.
Meanwhile, across the border, EDF is pursuing negotiations with various industrial parks in Matamoros. Although the discussions are still in the preliminary stage, EDF officials hope to reach an accord this year. Once these relationships are created, it's a win-win situation for everyone. However, before any business arrangements can be made, the composition of the gypsum as well as the industrial processes need to be studied in depth. We think there's a good mix of companies in Matamoros willing to try out a handful of these ideas.