Success Stories Economic Development

June 12, 2025

Powering Success for a Major Food Manufacturer in Illinois

Recognizing an opportunity to enhance production efficiency, an international food manufacturer launched a project in 2021 to open its first U.S. facility dedicated to a central component of iits operations.

Recognizing an opportunity to enhance production efficiency, an international food manufacturer launched a project in 2021 to open its first U.S. facility dedicated to a central component of its operations.

The facility was designed to supply key ingredients to the existing manufacturing lines, as well as add a new product line within a new building on its Bloomington campus. To facilitate the operational needs of this new facility, the company collaborated with the Ameren Illinois Economic Development team to provide the necessary power.

Collaborative Efforts and Creative Problem-Solving to Move Project Forward

Working with an international company can present various challenges for domestic economic development teams. Effective communication is essential in establishing the construction timeline and ensuring the project remains on track. Ameren Economic Development Manager Darcy Conner maintained constant contact with the company’s project lead based in Europe, holding weekly progress meetings and coordinating with local contractors.

The joint team identified that the proposed facility would require an additional 6 MW of electric power. To accommodate this demand, four 2,500 KVA transformers—the devices that regulate electricity voltage to match the power needs of machinery and equipment—needed to be procured. Given the challenges posed by supply chain constraints during the COVID pandemic, sourcing these transformers proved difficult. However, through innovative strategies employed by the Ameren Illinois team, the equipment was delivered in time to meet the production schedule.

Flexibility to Address Increased Power Needs

Simultaneously, the company was constructing a manufacturing facility for its new product line. Located in a 169,000-square-foot building on the Bloomington campus, this new production facility encountered a challenge: it lacked adequate capacity to handle the increased electric load generated by the expanded operations. Conner enlisted the Ameren Illinois engineering team, which determined that it was necessary to “reconductor” an existing 34.5 KV power line. This involved replacing the smaller capacity line with a larger one from the building site to a substation located three miles away.

The new line was constructed to provide an additional 7 MWh of power capacity, along with three new transformers. This work was completed within 10 months to ensure the company met its production deadlines.

Energizing Growth: How Ameren Illinois Powers Economic Development and Industry Sectors

The successful collaboration between the food manufacturer and the Ameren Illinois Economic Development team highlights energy companies’ crucial role in supporting local industries and driving economic growth. By offering timely solutions, fostering effective communication, and utilizing innovative problem-solving strategies. Ameren Illinois meets not only the power needs of companies, but also positively impacts the broader community. This partnership exemplifies Ameren’s commitment to energizing businesses and contributing to a thriving local economy, ultimately powering success in Bloomington and beyond.