08/26/2025
BREAKING: Cronus Chemicals plant coming to Tuscola after 12-year wait
By Ben Crane
DECATUR, Ill. — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday announced that Cronus Chemicals will move forward with a long-delayed fertilizer production facility in Tuscola, a $2 billion project expected to bring jobs, investment and stability to the state’s agricultural sector.
Speaking at the Illinois Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Pritzker said the company will build a state-of-the-art plant producing up to 950,000 tons of ammonia annually. The facility, located on 230 acres west of Tuscola, is projected to create between 1,500 and 2,000 construction jobs over the next three to four years and 130 full-time positions once operational.
“This is a major win for our farmers, for our people, the people of Tuscola and, of course, our entire economy,” Pritzker said. “Cronus Chemicals will be an anchor of the Illinois agricultural industry of today and tomorrow.”
The announcement comes 12 years after Cronus first signaled plans to build in east-central Illinois. The project had faced repeated delays caused by financing issues, global market disruptions and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Boost to Farmers and Local Economy
Officials emphasized the project’s significance for farmers coping with soaring fertilizer costs. Fertilizer prices have climbed sharply in recent years due to tariffs, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical instability.
“Having a fertilizer production facility so close to home will help us meet the rising demand and keep costs lower for farmers,” Pritzker said. “That’s going to be much better for our farmers, especially at a time when tariffs are raising prices.”
Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello said the impact cannot be overstated.
“At a time when only 5 percent of farms in the U.S. will be profitable this year, this $2 billion investment is more important than ever,” Costello said.
He said tariffs on agricultural inputs have jumped from 1 percent to 12 percent in the last seven months, driving up the costs of herbicides, pesticides, machinery and nitrogen-based fertilizer.
“The average U.S. farmer this year will lose $328,” Costello said. “Anything that we can do to help producers is extremely, extremely important right now.”
LOCAL LEADERS APPLAUD PROJECT
Tuscola Mayor Dan Kleiss called the announcement “an exciting day” for Douglas County.
“It’s an exciting day for Tuscola and Douglas County and the state of Illinois,” Kleiss said. “We’re glad to have the governor here to make this a very special day.”
Brian Moody, executive director of the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, said the project represents years of persistence and collaboration.
“Tuscola and Douglas County proved that rural communities can compete and win on a global stage,” Moody said. “This project is about stability, reliability and strengthening the foundation of our economy.”
He said Cronus chose the site not just for infrastructure, but for the workforce and community support.
“From the very beginning, Cronus approached us with openness and respect,” Moody said. “Together we’ve built not just a project plan, but really a true relationship.”
MANUFACTURING AND AGRICULTURE LINK
The site was chosen for its access to natural gas, major rail lines and nearby highways. Officials said those advantages, coupled with state economic incentives, ultimately convinced Cronus to proceed with construction.
Mark Denzler, president of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, said the project underscores the link between agriculture and manufacturing, the two largest contributors to Illinois’ economy.
“Cronus will be creating the first world-scale ammonia fertilizer plant in Tuscola,” Denzler said. “It’s a win-win-win for farmers, manufacturers and the state.”
He said the facility will also use carbon capture technology to reduce emissions.
“Illinois has the industry, technology and geology to be the national leader in carbon capture and storage,” Denzler said.
CRONUS COMMITMENT
Cronus CEO Melih Keyman, who addressed the crowd by video, said the company is committed to addressing fertilizer shortages that have forced the U.S. to import about 2 million tons of ammonia annually.
“The project will be a major economic push to east-central Illinois, creating thousands of construction jobs and more than 100 permanent positions,” Keyman said.
He said the Tuscola facility will use recycled water from the Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District and include carbon capture technology to reduce emissions.
“Nothing can be more important than addressing the needs of our growers in this part of the United States,” Keyman said. “Farming is arguably the most difficult of professions in the world, and it should be everybody’s business to make sure growers have access to affordable inputs.”
CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE
Construction is expected to take about 40 months, with full production beginning in roughly three and a half years.
“It may take a little while, but a whole lot of jobs are getting created,” Pritzker said. “And ultimately, this project is going to deliver for our state in ways we’ve been working toward for a very long time.”
Moody said the project is further along than ever before.
“There have been a few challenges,” Moody said. “But project developers feel like the project is on track. We feel good about where they’re at.”
Pritzker said the announcement demonstrates that Illinois can compete successfully for large-scale industrial projects.
“I know that there are people who’ve had doubts,” Pritzker said. “But the answer is no — we’re not falling back into old ways. We’re delivering for Illinois.”
