On Monday Du Quoin Mayor Guy Alongi announced a new business coming to Du Quoin’s industrial park.
The former General Henry Bakery will now be home to a hemp processing plant.
Du Quoin’s industrial park is welcoming a new neighbor this spring.
Construction has started inside the General Henry Bakery building that will become a hemp processing plant licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
U of I Extension Community and Economic Development Specialist Susan Odum says when empty buildings have new tenants it can breath life back into the community.
“Those people who now have those jobs will have disposable income to be able to spend in the local economy, and local restaurants and shops and things like that.”
Empty buildings also have the potential to lower the property value around them.
“Abandoned buildings might fall into disrepair or taxes might become delinquent or the property might be overgrown, things like that or become an eye soar to the community.”
The city will hold a job fair before the facility opens and Odum says that’s not only good for Du Quoin, it’s also good for the area.
“Enables people to work closer to home, gives them an opportunity to have disposable income that they can spend close to home and local businesses either in Du Quoin or in the neighboring areas.”
The oil from the hemp will be used for a variety of products including CBD products.
The council also passed resolutions to enter into a redevelopment agreement with Slainte Real Estate that owns the building.
The city will hold a job fair before the facility is set to open.
