CLINTON, Iowa – A chemical production company in this community is getting set to do more than $300 million in projects to update and upgrade its facilities.
Those projects will have a big impact on Clinton and its businesses as thousands of workers will be in the city and provide a more than $25 million boost to the local economy, according to officials with Grow Clinton, the business advocate organization.
All that activity will be centered around LyondellBasell’s (LYB) “turnaround” project, which is set to take place from July through September.
A turnaround is a planned pause in production that allows the company to safely inspect, clean, repair and upgrade essential equipment. These efforts provide a critical investment in the plant’s long-term viability, and be one of the company’s “largest recent commitments to the Clinton plant,” according to information from Grow Clinton. It will also mean thousands of out-of-state contractors and LYB employees will be in Clinton this summer, with hundreds arriving for the project before July.
LYB’s Clinton Complex, located at 3400 Anamosa Road, produces ethylene, propylene, polyethylene and plexar tie-layer resins. The chemicals produced in the Clinton plant are used to create a variety of products, including household industrial bottles, pressure pipes, food packaging, outdoor durable goods, construction and roofing materials and toys.
LYB’s upcoming turnaround project will not only help the company, it will help the entire Clinton community, according to Andy Sokolovich, president and CEO of Grow Clinton.
“Turnarounds also create an immediate boost to the local economy,” said Mr. Sokolovich, in a “Letter to the Clinton community” release on the LYB project, that was made available on Monday, June 8. “In 2019 (during a previous turnaround project), the peak day in August had 2,160 workers on site, including 500 local contractors. Using those numbers, we calculated the impact with the Iowa Travel Industry Partners’ economic impact tool. Without accounting for camping fees and rental housing, the daily economic impact is estimated at $277,656. Over 90 days, that totals nearly $25 million in impact. This direct financial gain does not include the substantial wages earned by local contractors.”
The Grow Clinton official added that with the turnaround project right around the corner, now is the time for local business owners and residents to prepare for an influx of visitors. He added that once the workers get to Clinton, they will work 13 days on and one day off. One shift will have Fridays off, and another shift will have Sundays off.
“Be responsive, welcoming and prepared. Many of these workers will find a favorite local restaurant or shop and return frequently to spend money through local purchases. They will be eating out, shopping for clothes, buying groceries, and looking for ways to relax after work. Lines may be a bit longer at peak times, and many visitors will be camping, which creates opportunities to sell firewood and explore other entrepreneurial ideas,” Mr. Sokolovich added.
Grow Clinton officials said everyone can also serve as an ambassador for the region. Learn what there is to do here and be ready to share it. Residents can tell visitors about the Dambo trolls, Fulton’s windmill, Music on the Avenue, Finally Fridays, Paint it Back, and the showboat. If they have children with them, encourage them to visit The Sawmill Museum, the Felix Adler Discovery Center, and Eagle Point Park. Clinton County Conservation also offers experiences worth recommending to those interested in exploring the river, wildlife, and learning about the natural aspects of the Great River Region.
“We are fortunate to have a major employer like LYB contributing to our economic base and demonstrating responsible operational leadership. Their upcoming turnaround underscores an important truth: when businesses invest in safety, reliability, and long-term performance, the entire community benefits,” Mr. Sokolovich added.
LYB, which is an international company, has its U.S. headquarters in Houston, Texas. The company has about 19,000 employees around the world. The Clinton facility has about 440 employees, according to the company.
