New Industrial Project to Bring Jobs to Effingham, Other News from Tuesday's City Council Meeting

Seed Company Beck's Hybrids discussed a new project at Tuesday night's City Council meeting, one they say will bring 40-50 new jobs to Effingham within two years.

Company representatives discussed the purchase of 90 acres of land from the City of Effingham, located in the city's industrial park south of The Cross. Beck's plans on constructing a Practical Farm Research Facility with a distribution warehouse.

Beck's says the $2.5 million project will consist of three 300 x 100-foot buildings as well as research seed plots. Jim Zimmer from Beck's Hybrids gave a presentation about the facility, telling the Council that Beck's is the largest independently owned and fastest growing seed company in the U.S. Zimmer said that Beck's operates in eight states and the Effingham facility will service southern Illinois and eastern Missouri.

The Council approved an agreement with South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission to apply for and manage a $300,000 grant to help with the infrastructure of the new facility. In addition, the Council discussed design engineering services with Milano & Grunloh Engineers for the improvements of 4700 feet of Pike Avenue, as well as water and sewer services for the new Beck's project. Construction of the facility is set to start as soon as the transfer of land can take place and grant requests have been approved.

Also at Tuesday night's meeting, the Council discussed the creation of a new Business District that encompasses a large area west of North Keller Drive, one they say is receiving a lot of interest from developers. The city is also considering adding a few locations on the east side of Keller Drive as well. The business district will aid the city in developing much of the area and is considered a replacement for the retiring TIF district. The project will be up for approval at a future meeting.\

The Council also voted to amend the Special Events Ordinance to more clearly define the rules for event holders, approved removing the reserve requirement for the Motor Fuel Tax Fund, and approved a change order for the street resurfacing in Collins Subdivision.