Pekin Looks Forward To Pipeline’s Economic Boost

Officials in Pekin say an oil pipeline that will travel through the community on its way from Flanagan to Cushing, Okla., will bring 600 workers to town over the next few years.

Pekin Economic Development Director Leigh Ann Matthews says workers building the 36-inch Flanagan South Pipeline will spend money that will boost local businesses. She also told the Pekin Daily Times that pipeline builder Enbridge Inc. has leased a vacant local building to serve as its local hub.

The Canadian company plans to build the nearly 600-mile pipeline to move 600,0 gallons of crude oil a day. Enbridge says crude moving through the new pipeline will eventually make its way to Gulf Coast refineries.

Flanagan is about 30 miles northeast of Bloomington.