Carbondale Reporter

Honeywell's Metropolis Works facility will reopen, said a Republican lawmaker who supported the news, adding that it would help boost the local economic opportunities in Southern Illinois.

"I know that when the facility originally shut down, we lost dozens of well-paying jobs and the community was hit hard," Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) said in a statement. "Now, after experiencing yet another major hit to our economy and workforce due to the COVID-19 crisis, it's extremely encouraging that the facility is reopening and bringing much-need job opportunities back to the area."

According to Honeywell officials, the facility will be operational in 2023, and the company predicts that it will hire 160 full-time employees by the end of next year.

"As the only domestic uranium conversion facility, Honeywell's Metropolis Works facility has been an important national strategic asset, well-positioned to satisfy UF6 demand both in the U.S. and abroad," Honeywell said in a statement, WSILTV News reported. "Honeywell is planning to restart production at Metropolis Works in early 2023, with preparations beginning this year. Honeywell will hire 160 full-time employees as well as contractors by the end of next year. We're proud to bring these jobs back to the Metropolis community to meet the needs of our customers."

Billy McDaniel Metropolis Mayor was excited about the company's return to the city.

"It's been not a good year for any community I don't believe in the United States, especially our smaller communities and stuff like that," Billy McDaniel Metropolis Mayor told WSILTV News. "This is just a prayer that's answered as far as I'm concerned to be able to put a facility like Honeywell back in operation."