Will County Board Graphic.03

Will County Approves Diamond Enterprise Zone Expansion to Support $355 Million Energy Investment

Spread the love

Will County Executive Committee Meeting | March 12, 2026

Article Summary: The Will County Executive Committee unanimously approved ordinances expanding the Diamond Enterprise Zone to include the Village of Braceville. The strategic boundary amendment will facilitate a massive $355 million capital investment by Constellation Energy Generation to upgrade the Braidwood Clean Energy Center.

Diamond Enterprise Zone Expansion Key Points:

  • Resolution 26-4321 and Resolution 26-4322 authorize the expansion of the Diamond Enterprise Zone and the execution of an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement.

  • The expansion adds the Village of Braceville as a new unit of government to the Enterprise Zone.

  • The boundary amendment adds a 109.99-acre expansion area specifically to support Constellation Energy Generation, LLC.

  • Constellation plans to invest over $355,000,000 to increase energy output, extend the facility’s lifespan, and improve equipment durability at the site.

The Will County Board Executive Committee on Thursday, March 12, 2026, unanimously approved a strategic economic development maneuver, expanding the Diamond Enterprise Zone to pave the way for a $355 million energy infrastructure investment.

The committee advanced Resolutions 26-4321 and 26-4322, which formally amend the boundaries of the Diamond Enterprise Zone to include territory within the corporate limits of the Village of Braceville, effectively adding Braceville as a new unit of government to the zone’s operational agreement.

According to the intergovernmental cooperation agreement provided in the agenda packet, the expansion connects the existing enterprise zone via a 3-foot-wide connecting strip to a 109.99-acre site controlled by Constellation Energy Generation, LLC.

The boundary amendment is a direct catalyst for massive regional economic development. The ordinance notes that Constellation intends to invest over $355,000,000.00 into the Braidwood Clean Energy Center site. The capital investment will fund various real and personal property improvements designed to increase the facility’s energy output, extend its operational lifespan, and enhance equipment durability.

By pulling the facility into the Diamond Enterprise Zone, Constellation will be eligible for specific building materials sales tax exemptions, limited to the standard 6.25% sales tax rate on approved materials, incentivizing the massive construction project.

The resolutions passed the committee without opposition and will advance to the full Will County Board for final certification.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.36.35 PM

Committee Debates Easing Size Restrictions on Accessory Dwelling Units

Will County's Land Use and Development Committee is considering changes to its accessory dwelling unit (ADU) regulations that could provide more flexibility for homeowners looking to create additional living spaces...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.36.35 PM

“Tiny Homes” Status Creates Regulatory Confusion for County Officials

Will County officials are struggling to establish clear regulations for "tiny homes," with committee members expressing confusion over terminology and appropriate standards during Wednesday's Land Use and Development Committee meeting....
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.36.35 PM

County Officials Begin Exploring Regulations for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

Will County is beginning to explore potential regulations for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) after recent Illinois legislation allowed their development, planning staff told the Land Use and Development Committee...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.17.47 PM

Will County Land Use News Briefs

Truck Terminal Proposal Tabled for Traffic Study: The committee tabled a special use permit request from Litmax Multi-Service Inc. for a truck terminal in New Lenox Township at 22645 Cherry...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.57.14 PM

County Moves Forward with Veterans Building Renovations, Questions Arise on Pace Building Plans

Will County's Capital Improvements Committee received updates Tuesday on multiple county facility projects, including progress on the Copperfield Drive building renovations for veterans services, while discussions revealed questions about the...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.57.14 PM

County Continues Efforts to Reduce Leased Office Space Footprint

Will County officials reported Tuesday that efforts to consolidate county operations in owned facilities are continuing to reduce the county's leased office space footprint, with further reductions expected when the...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.57.14 PM

County Reports Significant Cost Savings Through In-House Facility Projects

Will County is achieving substantial cost savings by completing facility improvement projects with in-house staff rather than contracting the work out, according to a presentation to the Capital Improvements Committee...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.50.36 PM

County Legislative Committee Endorses Electronic Recycling Bill, Reviews Transit Governance

The Will County Legislative Committee voted Thursday to support proposed state legislation that would extend and expand Illinois' electronic recycling program, while also reviewing potential changes to regional transit governance...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.57.14 PM

Will County Capital Improvements News Briefs

Courthouse Scaffolding Expected to Come Down Soon: Scaffolding on one corner of the Will County Courthouse should be removed within the next two weeks, pending reports from material scientists. "We're...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.44.33 PM

County Finance Committee Advances Proposal for Elected Official Pay Raises After 20-Year Freeze

The Will County Finance Committee voted Thursday to advance a proposal that would provide the first salary increases for countywide elected officials and county board members in nearly two decades....
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.50.36 PM

Will County Committee Debates Process for Taking Positions on State Legislation

Will County Legislative Committee members engaged in substantial discussion Thursday about how the committee should review and take positions on state legislation, with several members expressing concerns about the process...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.50.36 PM

State Lobbyists Update County on Springfield Action as Legislative Deadlines Approach

County officials received a comprehensive update on pending state legislation Thursday as lawmakers in Springfield approach critical deadlines for moving bills forward this session. Representatives from Mac Strategies, the county's...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.50.36 PM

Will County Legislative Committee News Briefs

Committee Postpones Action on Felony Conviction Voting Rights Bill: The Will County Legislative Committee declined to support House Bill 1288, which would allow individuals convicted of felonies to run for...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.44.33 PM

Shanahan Development Agreements Near Completion, Will County to See $282,000 Annual Revenue Boost

Will County will soon begin receiving the full tax benefit from industrial developments in Shanahan as the tax abatement and rebate agreements that helped fund infrastructure improvements approach their completion...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.44.33 PM

County Explores Bond Refinancing Options to Generate Potential Savings

Will County officials are exploring opportunities to refinance existing debt that could generate significant savings through two separate financial strategies, according to presentations to the Finance Committee on Thursday. Financial...