Pekin considering a methanol plant that could bring 25 new jobs [Video]

PEKIN (25News Now) – In a 5-2 vote, Pekin City Council voted on Monday night to move forward with constructing a methanol plant in the Riverway Business Park, located at 300 Hanna Drive.

Ambient Fuels of New York would invest around $550 million to buy 47 acres of the 57-acre site to build the industrial headquarters and other buildings.

Mayor Mary Burress said this project could bring new jobs to the community.

“It will be everything from 25 new head household jobs to the impact of the community on our property tax,” said Burress.

The Pekin Economic Development Director Josh Wray said residents shouldn’t be able to smell the methanol.

He also said the plant is making methanol and selling it, not burning it.

“It’s not going to increase your home’s property taxes, it will increase the property taxes for that site,” said Wray. “The city currently owns it. We don’t pay property taxes …