Illinois Senator Thomas M. Bennett recently celebrated a major investment in the state's agricultural industry. The $250 million capital investment is set to expand Incobrasa Industries' soybean manufacturing facility in Gilman, Illinois. Incobrasa, a soybean producer and processor, plans to build a 170,000 square foot biodiesel production plant and a 60-acre solar array to fuel the facilities.
"Illinois is the leader of soybean production, so we must capitalize on creating more jobs, boosting our economy, and continuing to provide the world with useful soybean products," said Senator Bennett. He believes that investing in plants like Incobrasa will help meet the recent demands for high-blend renewable fuel.
The expansion is expected to more than double Incobrasa's production capacity by 2030 and create permanent jobs for workers in Iroquois County and the surrounding region. The project has received support from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity through various business attraction incentives, including the EDGE tax credit.
Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) awarded a million dollar grant to Incobrasa to support the installation of a 7.5 mw solar array. This solar array is projected to save the company over $1.21 million annually and replace 12.46 million kWh of power, which is equivalent to powering 1,149 homes.
Senator Thomas M. Bennett, who has a background in education and experience as an IT professional, was appointed to represent the 53rd Senate District in 2022. He believes that this investment will not only benefit the agricultural industry but also contribute to the overall economic development of the community.
Alerts Sign-up