After being alerted to the opportunity by Senator Chris Lauzen, State Senator Dave Koehler introduced legislation to help convince Orascom Construction Industries to build a new fertilizer manufacturing plant in Peoria County, which will bring 165 to 200 permanent jobs and 1,000 construction jobs to the area over a two year period. 

Orascom is currently considering sites in both Illinois and Iowa.  To make Illinois more attractive to the company, Koehler is sponsoring legislation that makes Illinois’ incentive package on par with Iowa’s.

“This legislation is sending Orascom, an agricultural fertilizer company, a clear sign that we want them to come to Peoria County,” Koehler said.  “Our state is open for business, and we want to work with companies like Orascom to create good manufacturing jobs here in Illinois.”

The proposed $1.6 billion plant will produce ammonia, urea, and other nitrogen fertilizers to sell to Midwestern farmers.  The presence of the Orascom facility will save Illinois farmers significant money on fertilizer due to lower transportation costs.

Koehler has been working with Peoria County officials, the governor’s office, and legislators from both chambers and both sides of the aisle to reach an agreement that will bring Orascom to Illinois.

“I’m immensely proud of the work everyone has done in a very short timeframe to compete for this economic development opportunity. This would be a historic private investment in Downstate Illinois," said Peoria County Board Chairman Thomas O’Neill III.

Senator Dave Koehler attended a Fulton County Ag round table along with other lawmakers and agriculture leaders in Fulton county to discuss issues facing farmers in Central Illinois.  The panelists spoke on a variety of topics important to the agriculture needs of Illinois farmers, and discussed what could be done in Springfield to address these issues.

Senator Koehler also discussed Senate Bill 3176, a bill he is sponsoring which would help agri-business in controlling natural gas costs.  He stressed the importance of farmers, agri-business leaders, and county officials in working together to bring reform that boths meets the needs of farmers and the safety concerns of the county.

Panelists also discussed the importance of technoloy for rural areas.  In order to stay competitive, farmers need as much access to technology as urban areas.  Young farmers in Western Illinois know how to use technology, but the lack of access is an important issue that needs to be addressed. 

Senator Koehler stressed the importance of education for promoting the needs of farmers.  The farm bureau's Adopt a Legislator program teaches lawmakers the importance of Agriculture to Illinois and what specific needs the industry needs to continue to thrive.

"Agriculture is complex and the more we support it, the better we will understand it ” said Senator Koehler.