It was a huge day for Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, and Southern Illinois as local and state leaders, business partners, and community members gathered to officially cut the ribbon at Manner Polymers— the most advanced plastics manufacturer in the industry. The $54 million, 100 percent solar-powered PVC compounding plant in Mount Vernon will expand the company's annual production capacity by 100 million pounds and create more than 60 jobs in Southern Illinois.

During the celebration, Raj Bhargava, President & CEO of Manner Polymers, praised the region:

“We felt that coming into this, it was going to be the right place. Now, we KNOW this is the right place. It was a good decision then, and it’s been confirmed that it’s a good decision now. It’s exceeded expectations.”

Manner Polymers selected Mt. Vernon for its location in the center of the country, proximity to customers, and excellent connectivity via Interstates 57 and 64 and nearby rail access—key factors for efficient nationwide distribution. The company is also leveraging the State of Illinois’ REV (Reimagining Energy and Vehicles) Illinois program, a competitive incentive package designed to attract and support manufacturers in clean energy and advanced industries.

In addition to its advanced production capabilities, the Mt. Vernon facility represents a leap forward in sustainable manufacturing. It is the first plastics manufacturing facility in the country powered entirely by solar, drastically reducing energy costs for Manner Polymers.

The new facility represents a significant investment for Southern Illinois. It highlights the region’s ability to attract cutting-edge industries and underscores the importance of strong partnerships and collaboration.

Congratulations go out to Jefferson County Development Corporation and all of the many partners including Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development, Intersect Illinois and the City of Mt. Vernon who worked to bring this project to fruition.