Project Director

Pratt, Leila

Department Examiner

Hutchinson, Bruce; Keilany, Ziad; Gaudin, Timothy

Department

Dept. of Economics

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

This study on the costs and benefits of high capacity chip mills located in the southeastern United States stems from a personal interest gained in the subject through my Environmental Science minor. During my courses of study, factors such as philosophy and ecology were brought into discussions both for and against these chip mills. However, there was no economic data presented from either side. This caused me to wonder whether chip mills were, from an economic perspective, a positive or negative industry for this region. The present study will present a compilation of facts and data on the economic analysis and costs of chip mills in the Southeastern United States. Map I presents the location of these 140 plus mills. Three major areas of observation are presented. The first area examines the chip mill itself and the types of products derived from wood chips. The second part examines the direct effects of the chip mills on the wood products market, including the effects on both land and non-land inputs and changes in the local and regional forestry and wood products industries. The third area of the study looks at both the positive and negative indirect effects of chip mills in the region. These include changes to infrastructure, changes to unrelated industries such as tourism, and effects on the environment. This study employs a wide variety of sources and literature from a number of different viewpoints within the region. These include environmental groups, different components of the forestry industry, local and state governments, and studies done by independent firms and universities. It examines the region as a whole, while also using examples at both the state, sub-state regional, and county levels.

Degree

B. S.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science.

Date

4-2001

Subject

Wood chips industry--Southern States--Cost effectiveness

Discipline

Regional Economics

Document Type

Theses

Extent

i, 31 leaves

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Call Number

LB2369.5 .H872 2001

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Download

Share

COinS