A medical marijuana cultivation center in Galesburg would initially employ 35 people.
The company proposing the facility, Grotonics, said it will be hiring management, processing, greenhouse, and security workers.
“The more jobs we can get, the better,” said County Board Chairman Greg Bacon.
“If it’s 5, 10, 500, whatever. Every little bit helps.”
He said the cultivation center would increase sales and property tax revenues.
Plans call for the facility to be built on a 72-acre site on Old Post Road in Galesburg. The county board agreed to rezone the land from agriculture to commercial.
Bacon is certain the site will be secure.
“These people here operate facilities in other states, so they’re well-versed on security,” Bacon said.
Bacon says the county’s role in the process is now over.
Grotonics Liaison Pat Lansing said the next step is for the company to submit its application to state government, which will ultimately decide where marijuana cultivation centers will be built in Illinois.
