Illinois, Iowa wait for fertilizer-plant decision
Fertilizer-plant company expects to choose between Illinois, Iowa in next 2 months
FILE - In this July 10, 2013 file photo, Brian Moody, the executive director of Tuscola Economic Development, Inc., stands in front of a corn field outside Tuscola, Ill., that a firm looking for a site to build a massive new fertilizer plant is considering. Cronus Chemical LLC, the company planning to build a $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Tuscola or Mitchell County, Iowa, says it will choose between the two competing sites in 30 to 60 days. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on Thursday, July 25 signed legislation to provide incentives to Cronus if it decides to build in Tuscola. (AP Photo/David Mercer, File)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- The company planning to build a $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Iowa or Illinois says it will choose between the two competing sites in 30 to 60 days.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on Thursday signed legislation to provide incentives to Cronus Chemical LLC if it decides to build in Tuscola. Perks promised to the company are reportedly worth about $30 million. Iowa has already offered subsidies reportedly worth about $35 million if the company builds in Mitchell County, Iowa.
David Lundy is a spokesman for Cronus. He said the company now will look at factors such as construction costs. The plant would employ about 150 people and create more than 1,500 short-term construction jobs.
Brian Moody leads economic development in Tuscola. He believes the town has a good shot.
