Governor JB Pritzker, along with Avina Clean Hydrogen and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, announced the selection of Southwest Illinois for Avina Clean Hydrogen's $820 million investment in a sustainable aviation fuel project. This investment aims to develop a state-of-the-art facility capable of producing up to 120 million gallons of SAF annually, using KBR's alcohol-to-jet technology. The project is expected to create 150 full-time jobs and 1,000 construction jobs in Illinois. The investment will help meet Illinois' clean energy goals, supporting the state's clean energy economy and the aviation sector's decarbonization efforts. Vishal Shah, the Founder & CEO of Avina Clean Hydrogen, highlighted the facility's strategic location with existing rail and pipeline infrastructure for efficient fuel delivery to airports in the Midwest region. The project is set to contribute to reducing carbon emissions in aviation and drive economic growth in the Southwest Illinois region. The initiative received positive feedback from various officials, including DCEO Director Kristin Richards, Senator Christopher Belt, and Representative Dave Vella, emphasizing the importance of such investments in advancing clean energy and creating job opportunities. The investment project also includes incentives from the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles program, aimed at supporting manufacturers in expanding or relocating to Illinois. This initiative aligns with Illinois' 2024 Economic Growth Plan, focusing on attracting investments, creating jobs, and fostering economic growth in key industries like clean energy production and manufacturing. By investing in sustainable aviation fuel production, Illinois aims to lead in clean energy innovation, reduce carbon emissions, and create a sustainable future for the state and the nation.