Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Hub
Decatur, Illinois is located in the Mid Illinois hub for the State of Illinois EV Innovation Cluster focused on electric vehicle and component manufacturers around the electrification, energy innovation, policy and technology. Our growing electric transportation supply-chain network, alternative energy assets including large carbon capture technology centers coupled with our internationally recognized research institutions, innovation and testing centers, and Manufacturing Training Academies. We are ready to adapt and withstand the growth requirements and transform public policy to enable rapid growth and support of advanced energy businesses.
Close Proximity to Leading EV & Clean Energy Businesses
Major businesses leading the way in EV Manufacturing and Clean Energy are located within 50 miles, including Rivian, ADM, T/CCI Manufacturing, Bodine Electric, Green Valley Manufacturing, Fuyao Glass, Ameren and Innovafeed’s plant currently under development.
Carbon Dioxide Capture & Storage Capabilities
Decatur is home to two carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects through ADM and the University of Illinois. The first-of-its-kind project has the ability to accept and store one million metric tons of carbon dioxide over a period of three years, the equivalent of annual emissions from about 1.2 million passenger cars according to EPA calculations. Collectively, these two projects have successfully stored over 3.4 million tons of carbon dioxide since 2017.
“Agribusiness leaders and producers have a vital role to play in reducing our carbon footprint, and game-changing innovation to do just that is occurring right here in central Illinois,” said Congressman Rodney Davis (IL-13). “ADM and the U of I’s partnership to capture and store carbon underground will serve as a global model on how to reduce emissions.”
As a result of these projects, a pipeline is currently under development through ADM and Wolf Carbon Solutions, which will allow for the capture, compression and transportation of carbon dioxide. The 350-mile steel trunk line will be capable of transporting 12 million tons of CO2 per year, which will be stored in ADM’s fully permitted and already-operational sequestration site in Decatur, Illinois. The pipeline is designed to have significant spare capacity to serve other third-party customers looking to decarbonize across the Decatur and Macon County area. Read more about the pipeline here.
Photos provided by Richland Community College CCS Project
Specialized Workforce and Training Opportunities
The availability of qualified workforce is important for the successful operation of any facility. Macon County provides access to a labor force of over 533,000 within a one hour drive of Decatur. Fuel your workforce through award winning education systems with programs specializing in manufacturing, agriculture, and sustainability.
The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois, ranked as one of the Best Global Universities and a top-tier public research university, offers renowned design and manufacturing programs. Millikin University offers a variety of specializations in computer science and applied sciences. Richland Community College offers an esteemed Math, Science and Business Division with expertise in Engineering Technology and Industrial Job Skills Training Programs. Together, with over 20 universities within a one-hour drive and access to more than 140,000 students, the local colleges and universities provide a qualified workforce applicant pool for your business and training opportunities for your employees.
Decatur is also home to the Midwest Inland Port, which includes:
- An intermodal ramp with 25-minute average turn times with direct access to Class I Railroads connecting to all North American rail networks
- A diverse community of importers and exporters in the area creates opportunities for intermodal container match-back shipments
- Non-congested, toll-free access to one of the country’s heaviest trucking and railway traffic flows
- A quick channel to coastal and export markets
- Possible reduced supply chain logistics costs.
- Third Party Logistics providers offering freight forwarding, transloading, warehousing, stock management, temperature-controlled storage and more
- An abundance of competitively priced labor and an available workforce
- An airport equipped with a Foreign Trade Zone, a Fixed-Based Operator (FBO) and runways measuring 8,400’ long and 150’ wide to handle large aircrafts