An Illinois company is planning a $1 billion natural gas plant in the city of Niles. Indeck Energy Services says Niles will give it a good access point to the transmission grid and the Midwest distribution network. Niles City Administrator Rick Huff tells us this project would mean millions for the community.
“The investment of a $900 million to $1 billion new business in our town and the jobs it would create, especially over the construction phase in the first three years and then the continual operation of the plant would be significant to the city of Niles,” Huff said.
The company bought property in the Niles Industrial Park about 12 years ago for the plant, but the plans were delayed when the recession began. Although there was some organized opposition back then, there hasn’t been any so far this time around. The 1,000 megawatt plant could mean 21 full-time permanent jobs. Indeck is getting its permits now, and ground could be broken next fall.
