By Jeff Helfrich, Managing Editor
OREGON — At a public hearing Thursday, Jan. 9 at Oregon City Hall, three amendments to the Lee-Ogle Enterprise Zone that would see it increase in size were detailed, including one that would see the addition of Constellation’s Byron Nuclear Plant as the facility plans for capacity upgrades in coming years.
The Lee-Ogle Enterprise Zone (LOEZ) is designed to stimulate economic growth and businesses located or expanding in the zone may be eligible for certain state and local tax incentives, such as sales tax exemptions and property tax abatements. The expansion of the LOEZ to include the land for the three projects will be considered by many boards and councils within the zone over the next several weeks, LOEZ Administrator Andy Shaw said Jan. 9.
The land added to the LOEZ for the Byron Nuclear Plant amendment would total 171.92 acres. Constellation is planning to invest more than $355 million in the Byron Nuclear Plant to increase its capacity and is seeking support from the LOEZ. Constellation Communications Manager
Paul Dempsey said the inclusion in the LOEZ and the improvements will bring new jobs and additional emissions-free power generation to northern Illinois.
Constellation Manager of Local Government Affairs Ryan Tozer appeared at the public hearing to support the amendment.
“The Byron Clean Energy Center produces 2,347 megawatts of electricity, employs over 600 full-time employees and supports the local community with over $40,000 in local contributions every year,” Tozer said. “Constellation has a planned major investment to increase power output. Upgrades to the station include six low-pressure turbines, two high-pressure turbines, and electrical system improvements. These improvements retain jobs, increase the plant’s lifespan and stimulate local economies through housing accommodations, food and transportation.”
The capacity expansion project is slated to start in spring 2026, Dempsey said.
The Ogle County Board voted back in August to rezone 524 acres of land owned by Constellation around the Byron Nuclear Plant from agricultural to industrial as Constellation considers attracting industrial development such as data centers. Increased capacity would aid in development, as data centers use large amounts of power and seek to locate near power sources.
Other projects
Shaw also presented an amendment that would see 17.21 acres of land added into the LOEZ for a project at HA International in rural Ogle County west of Oregon on Devils Back Bone Road south of Pines Road. Ha International has proposed an expansion at its existing plant, bringing to Oregon an improved production line from a company site in Ohio.
“The new building to be constructed at the east end of the property will be used to manufacture a product called feeders, which like their existing resin-coated sands produced there, will be used by the metal casting industry in North America,” Shaw said. “This is an anticipated $10 million project that will create 17 new manufacturing jobs in the short term with a hope for 56 new jobs over about 10 years. Due to this impact, the LOEZ board wishes to offer use of the tax incentives for this project.”
Another expansion amendment discussed Jan. 9 involves a project called Fun on 52 and Pub & Patio in rural Lee County on sites between Amboy and Sublette totaling around 10.61 acres. The same ownership is developing the separate entertainment sites in an area of Lee County with heavy visitor traffic including Woodhaven Lakes and many campgrounds in that area.
“The site on U.S. 52 is a family-oriented amusement complex with golf activities and go karting to be called Fun on 52,” Shaw said. “While the site near the gate to Woodhaven Resort is a bar and grill restaurant called Pub & Patio. The timeline for the completion is late 2025 for Pub & Patio and late 2027 for Fun on 52 with about 20 jobs at each location. The enterprise zone wishes to incentivize this project with tax benefits to see it be most successful.”
The LOEZ currently has 1,516.67 acres of unused space available for expansion amendments. If the three expansion amendments are approved, 1,316.93 acres will remain available in the LOEZ for future amendments.
