You’ll have to forgive Niles community leaders and officials from Indeck if they resort to saying “they saved the best for last.” They can certainly contend that the nearly $1-billion project for a new next generation energy center in Niles is worthy of being considered the best of the lot, and it was — after all — the last meeting of the year.
At the final meeting of 2017, the Michigan Strategic Fund board in Lansing focused on continued economic progress into the new year by approving the Indeck Niles, LLC project that will generate a total capital investment of $967 million and create 21 full-time equivalent jobs.
Governor Rick Snyder says of Tuesday’s session, “Today’s actions by the Michigan Strategic Fund will mean more jobs and greater economic opportunities for Michiganders,” adding, “I look forward to working with the company as it grows and creates jobs in the state.”
Indeck Niles will redevelop contaminated property in the city of Niles and construct the Indeck Niles Energy Center, a next generation 210,000-square-foot state-of-the-art energy center fueled by clean natural gas. Upon completion, the Energy Center will provide more than 1,000 megawatts of electricity to Michigan and surrounding states. The Indeck Niles Energy Center represents a significant investment in the city of Niles and southwest Michigan.
The Miichigan Strategic Fund approved $34,800,264 in local and school tax capture for the City of Niles Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to perform brownfield activities at the site, including demolition, removal of debris, site preparation, and infrastructure improvements. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio for the project.
David Hicks is Indeck’s Vice President of Business Development. He says, “The Indeck Niles Energy Center will make a substantial contribution to the modernization and enhanced reliability of the regional power system while improving its environmental footprint through the manufacturing of clean, efficient natural-gas fired electricity.” He adds, “The Indeck Niles Energy Center will also create significant economic development in the region.” Hicks goes on to point out that, “Indeck Niles continues to be grateful for our strong and lasting partnership with the city of Niles, as well as the support provided from Michigan state and local officials.”
Natural gas generation manufactured by state-of-the-art plants like Indeck Niles is more efficient and cost effective than energy produced by aging coal and nuclear plants. As more retirements of these aging coal and nuclear plants are announced, they will be replaced with low-cost, highly efficient, and low-emissions power plants like Indeck Niles.
Niles Mayor Nick Shelton says, “The three-year construction phase of Indeck will bring 300 to 600 jobs to the city of Niles, boosting our local economy in the process. It will create new tax revenues for Cass County, Niles Community Schools, and the city of Niles.”
Meanwhile, Dave Eifler, President of the Southwestern Michigan Economic Growth Alliance Board of Directors says, “We are very pleased to have played a part in the newly announced Indeck Niles, LLC project. This will become the largest and most expensive facility ever constructed in the Greater Niles Michigan area.” Eifler goes on to say, “Not only will Indeck be adding several permanent jobs, but it will eventually be paying significant local taxes that benefits everyone. I want to thank Indeck for choosing our community from the several other viable locations. Lastly, I would take a special note of thanks to the City of Niles and its staff in doing much of the heavy lifting over many years to make this day a final reality.”
