A $10 million wood pellet plant opened Monday in Stone County and company officials say the 12,000 square-foot facility will produce feedstock for alternative energy.

Gray Swoope, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, took part in a dedication ceremony Monday for Piney Woods Pellets, according to a company news release.

The plant will employ 27 workers.

Osmond Crosby, CEO of Piney Woods Pellets, says the project began following Hurricane Katrina and plant construction started last year. Crosby is a third generation tree farmer who owned and managed timberlands in Mississippi for over 25 years, according to the release.

The plant is expected to produce 50,000 tons of pellets each year.