(KLZA)--Falls City Economic Development and Growth Enterprise Executive Director Lucas Froeschl provided an update to the City Council last week of progress on the Mid-America Rail Campus site located south of Falls City, where Citroniq plans to build a multi-billion dollar plant utilizing ethanol to produce plastic components.

Froeschl says the project is moving forward.

Froeschl recently traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with the Department of Energy to provide updates on Citroniq Chemicals application for federal funding with the Loan Programs Office. A federal 90 day freeze on funding is scheduled to end April 20.

The Nebraska Economic Development Office says to expect it to take up to 6 - 8 months to get funding approved rather than the hoped for 6 - 8 weeks for approval.

Froeschl discussed the project with Nebraska's federal delegates and encouraged them to follow-up with the Loans Program Office and advocate for Citoniq's impact on the State of Nebraska.

Over 16 billion gallons of ethanol was produced domestically in 2024 and Citroniq's usage is estimated at 400 million gallons. That would be a 2.5% increase in new market demand for ethanol which should have a positive ripple effect for Nebraska corn producers.

With much discussion about electrical power and the need for access to additional power for Falls City, Froeschl said Citroniq understands the rate payers in Falls City will not be burdened with paying the costs to access additional power the company will need, and that Citroniq will be helping to pay for the on-site power generation the facility will need.

EDGE expects the Trump Administration to be supportive of the efforts to bring the Citroniq facilities to Falls City. The President outlined his federal policy around the bio-economy sector, suggesting the polypropylene projects like Citroniq will be supported under his administration.

Froeschl also noted that EDGE will be renewing option agreements on 869 acres of land south of Falls City which is the site of the Mid-America Rail Campus where the Citroniq facilities will be located. The options will control the site through at least May of 2028.