Lyondell Basell breaks ground on operations center

MORRIS – Every big project starts with a small step.

Lyondell Basell took the first step Tuesday toward its $55 million, 89,000 square-foot centralized operations center, as it held a groundbreaking ceremony for the facility. State senator Sue Rezin and state representative David Welter were on hand for the event, as well as Morris mayor Richard Kopczick, Minooka village president Pat Brennan and Channahon villiage president Missey Schumacher.

The new facility will feature a a state-of-the art control room, maintenance shops, offices and testing laboratory, and is scheduled to be completed in August of 2019.

The ceremony began with plant manager Tim Carnell welcoming the crowd. He then spoke of Lyondell's committment to safety and pointed out that this new building will be able to house employees that are in the plant now, but do not necessarily have to be there at all times. This will keep them out of harm's way as much as possible.

Senator Rezin spoke next, and she thanked Lyondell Basell for its investment in Grundy County.

"Lyondell has facilities all around the world," Rezin said. "When they go to make investments, they are pitching why their investment at their plant is most important around the world. Competition for money for these plants is something that the plant manger has to go and explain why it is important in Grundy County. I appreciate the willingness from Tim and his staff to say that Grundy County is where we want to invest. I thank Lyondell's headquarters for investing. They have invested almost a billion dollars in the Grundy County area.

"We are creating jobs in this area, it's a great investment and this story. We have this chemical corridor in this area because we have a skilled workforce. It's a very unique workforce that understands it. We also have first respodners that understand it, too. Dealing with a chemical and energy corridor is different, and I know that we have the best that there are in the community."

Representative Welter echoed Rezin's statements and also pointed out that the project will put many trades in Grundy County to work.

"The community partners we have, like Pat in Minooka, Dick in Morris, Missey in Channahon, they make sure everything is taken care of so we can compete," Welter said. "People are looking at this region and what we are doing and they are saying that this is the right place to invest. The trades that you are putting to work is great for this area."

Lyondell's Morris Complex is one of the largest chemical plants in the Midwest. Local builder, Harbor Construction, based in Plainfield, will be the construction builder. With more than 400 employees and contractors onsite, the plant is a strong civic supporter investing time, energy and resources into the community.