Western Illinois business development to create 1,300 jobs

HAVANA, Ill. (AP) - A new $150 million business development is expected to bring about 1,300 jobs to Western Illinois.

The (Peoria) Journal Star reports (bit.ly/1SbT27E) city officials in Havana have approved agri-business and energy projects for the Havana Industrial Park.

Integrated Biorefining Corporation is scheduled to break ground this spring at the site, which is located about 45 miles southwest of Peoria.

The company says an aquaponics facility will combine hydroponics - or growing plants without soil - with conventional agriculture and will market 20 million pounds of fish annually.

The energy project will retrofit locomotive engines to make them more fuel efficient and reduce emissions.

Economic Development Director Ron Hills says "This project is not only good for the Havana community, but is significant enough to benefit the entire region."