Executive Insight

When a new company comes to White County, we usually celebrate. New jobs, new capital investments, new opportunities for our people — these are all things worth getting excited about. We hold ribbon cuttings, shake hands, and welcome them with open arms.

But let’s be honest. When the new business is in the solid waste industry, folks don’t always feel like celebrating.

Here’s the truth, though: we have a new partner in White County, and what they are bringing to our community is nothing short of transformational.

White County has partnered with a professional, Waste Management. WM is not only taking over the operations of our landfill but they are investing in the future of our county. They plan to employ around 25 people right here at wages above our county average. They are planning a capital investment of at least $20 million with plans to expand even further; and they will be partnering directly with White County to provide a reliable host fee estimated at $700,000 each year for a minimum of 20 years, that’s money that will go directly into our county budget to support the services our citizens depend on.

This partnership didn’t come without tough conversations. For years, White County spent almost $2 million a year on solid waste disposal and losing money in the process. The landfill was about a million dollars in debt and owed another $8 million to a post-closure fund. WM stepped in, assumed all that liability, and on top of that, paid White County $2 million upfront. Once permits were approved and transferred, the county received an additional $2 million. Looking further ahead, once the expansion permit is approved (expected in or before 2036), WM will provide another $12 million to the county.

When you add it all up, the economic impact for White County is extraordinary:

•$2 million purchase of the landfill (one-time funding)

•$2 million for permit transfer (one-time funding)

•$700,000–$800,000 annual host fee (20-year minimum)

•$12 million after expansion permit approval (expected in or before 2036)

•$8 million liability release from the post-closure fund

That comes to nearly $40 million for White County over the next 20 years, with about $23 million of that expected in the first 10 years alone. On top of that, White County citizens will receive free disposal of household garbage for the life of the landfill — a minimum of 20 years.

And just to be clear: this company is not receiving any special incentives. They will pay property and personal taxes at 100 percent, just like everyone else. In addition, WM has committed an additional $50,000 a year to local community projects and scholarships, further investing in our county.

This is a major economic win for White County. It takes what was once a financial liability and turns it into a long-term partnership that benefits every citizen. Jobs, investment, free household garbage disposal, and millions of dollars in direct funding for county needs, these are outcomes worth celebrating.

In other words, this partnership provides resources that can be reinvested directly into the people and places that make White County strong. Instead of being saddled with debt and operational cost from the landfill, we can channel those dollars into schools, public safety, infrastructure, and community growth.

So yes, this business happens to be in solid waste. But to me, and to the people of White County, this is an opportunity to turn a costly challenge, a burden on our community, into innovative progress. And that is something I am proud to celebrate.

Thanks, D.W.