Power plant project brings jobs to area

Edwardsport, Ind. (WTHI) - A massive power plant construction project has turned into an oasis for skilled trades workers during the economic downtown.

The $2.5 billion Duke Energy clean coal power plant is about one-third completed.

The massive project spreads over a 200 acre site.

The power plant has been increasing its workforce and now has around 1200 people a day on site.

That number is expected to increase to 1800 later this year.

"The peak is going to be this summer, late this summer," said Kurt Phegley of Duke Energy. "That's going to be the peak of the construction workers. If you look at the ancillary benefits for the local community, that's going to continue on."

"We're glad for the regional impact as well as the impact on Knox County and certainly the state of Indiana," said Gary Gentry with the Knox County Development Corp.

The project is drawing tradesmen from throughout the Wabash Valley and from as far away as Fort Wayne.

The project is due for completion by the summer of 2012.