Central Illinois is a case study for showing how nuclear is just as much about economic stability as it is about power.

With Meta’s 20-year agreement to secure the Clinton Clean Energy Center, our region is stepping into a new era where clean energy, corporate demand, and local economies are tightly connected.

The Clinton plant employs 530+ people in high-wage union jobs and supports hundreds more through contractors and local supply chains.

These jobs keep families in the region, sustain small businesses, and provide stability in a place where few employers operate at this scale.

The plant also contributes $13.5 million every year in local and state taxes, which fund schools, infrastructure, and social services. Without it, the community’s economic backbone would weaken overnight.

The bigger story is the statewide impact.

In 2016, the Clinton plant was nearly shut down, which would’ve cost Illinois $765 million a year…

Instead, with the passage of FEJA (Future Energy Jobs Act) and now Meta’s 20-year agreement to keep it running, the plant is expected to add $15B to our economy over the next two decades.

And that stability impacts across industries from manufacturing to healthcare, keeping Illinois competitive at a time when population loss threatens its long-term growth. It’s all tied to energy.

The Meta agreement does more than preserve what exists today. It unlocks potential for future growth.

Constellation is already planning a 30MW upgrade on the Clinton site to increase output and is also evaluating advanced nuclear projects like small modular reactors at the site.

New development will bring construction jobs and expanded tax revenue to our region.

Clinton is positioning itself not only as a steady source of power, but as a launchpad for the next wave of energy driven growth in Illinois. Nuclear energy is an economic engine. It creates durable jobs and protects billions in GDP.

Central Illinois is showing the rest of the country how nuclear power fuels prosperity.

Which states have the most Fortune 500 HQs?

Illinois ranks 4th with 32 Fortune 500 HQs, but with most clustered in Chicago, the city itself ranks 2nd nationwide behind New York.

Chicago stands out for its high concentration of Fortune 500s across a wide range of industries, so no matter what you’re selling, your customers are already here.

The Morning Round: Coffee & Breakfast with IrishAngels

Intro and Insight: A dive into angel investing

Chicago Quant & Industry Meetup 2025

ChiTech Fall: Gravity Outlook

DriveHouse End of Summer Showcase

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for even more Chicago startup news.