(KLZA)-- 225 persons signed in during a meeting last week at Falls High School to hear from the founders of Citroniq Chemicals, a company that is a pioneer in sustainable plastics, and planning to build a $5 billion facility approximately two miles south of Falls City.

The company will use locally sourced, corn-based ethanol to produce bio-based, polypropylene which is a renewable alternative to traditional plastics and strengthen rural economies.

Kelly Knopp and Mel Badheka are the principal founders of the company which has relationships with Fortune 500 companies that are interested in lowering their carbon footprint. Citroniq already has secured purchase agreements with companies in Chicago, Western Pennsylvania and the Rust Belt region of the country.

Citroniq intends to begin operations in Richardson County by 2029. It is expected to take three years to build the plant after all preliminary work is completed. It is estimated that more than 2,000 workers will be used during the construction phase of the project. Those workers will be spending wages on food, fuel and lodging during this time.

Since the announcement of Citroniq selecting Falls City as the site of their plant questions have been asked concerning a number of topics.

Among the questions asked by audience members last week was if the area between the current city limits of Falls City and the site of the plant would be annexed into the City. Falls City EDGE Executive Director Lucas Froeschl said says they are not certain if there will be annexation and that at this point, it is not clear if annexation is an option.

Concerning a question about how the plant would effect the taxes for area landowners. Froeschl said EDGE anticipates with the investment by Citroniq and them paying into the county tax base, the burden on everyone else should decrease.

It appears that there would not be a problem with overcrowding schools in Falls City since there is infrastructure for growth in place.

As for housing for a potential 160 new workers, EDGE feels there is enough land area in and around Falls City, that there should be room for everyone without building vertical apartment buildings. Froeschl noted that steps such as the recent creation of a land bank to reinvigorate our neighborhoods will help provide areas for potential development.

Citroniq developer Kelly Knopp told those in attendance that Citroniq is not coming in looking for subsidies and tax breaks to locate in Nebraska and particularly Falls City. He says the project has strong economics and will work on its own.

Mel Badheka says the company wants to contribute to the area they locate in, not see what they can take back. He says Citroniq is looking for great labor and great environment and want to bring economic development to the area.

Tuesday we will hear from Julie Bushell, the Nebraska BioEconomy Coordinator who was instrumental in working with EDGE to help bring the new industry to Falls City.