EDDYVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Chemical distributor Midwest Chlor-Alkali LLC announced plans to build a plant next to Cargill's corn milling operation in Eddyville, officials said.

 

The company — a newly formed affiliate of Indianapolis-based Harris & Ford, Midwest — will make sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid and bleach at Cargill's Eddyville complex, according to a news release from Cargill.

 

The plant will employ up to 20 people. Construction is estimated at more than $60 million.

 

It will serve Cargill's eight North American corn-milling plants as well as other customers.

 

Construction is scheduled to begin later this month with production beginning in early 2009.

 

Tim Harris, who will serve as president of Midwest Chlor-Alkali, said the Eddyville project helps the company move beyond distribution and into manufacturing.

 

''It's a major expansion in scope for us, and we couldn't ask for a more respected partner than Cargill to help us take this step,'' Harris said. ''As we grow, our central focus remains on providing our customers the highest standard of service in this industry.''