MATTOON - Now that the FutureGen Alliance has declared Mattoon the power plant's destination, officials here and in surrounding towns are excited as they prepare for an influx of people into the area.

FutureGen, a $1.8 billion experimental coal-fueled power plant, brings the potential for 1,300 construction jobs, 150 plant operation positions and a share of the anticipated 1,200 jobs generated by FutureGen-related business in coming years.

Situated between FutureGen finalists Mattoon and Tuscola, Arcola officials have known they were in a good position if the project ended up at either site, said Bill Wagoner, city administrator.

Being so close to Mattoon, Wagoner said Arcola has been planning for a boost in the town's population.

Officials in Arcola have been working with a real estate developer to build a subdivision near Memorial Park, Wagoner said.

One subdivision already was built in that area in the 1990s, so Arcola and the developers are looking at building a second phase with 39 lots to that development, he said.

With a project of the magnitude of FutureGen coming to East Central Illinois, Wagoner said he hopes it will mean more state money for downstate capital projects in coming years.

As FutureGen is developed, state government officials likely will think of providing more funds for items such as roads and bridges in this region, he said.

"That cluster effect, I think, will happen," Wagoner said.

Charleston City Manager Scott Smith said the city will benefit directly from FutureGen's presence in Mattoon by selling water from the city's wastewater treatment plant to the power plant.

Smith said FutureGen also will spur economic development in Charleston, Mattoon and the surrounding area.

"It's great for everyone around here," Smith said. "There could be some secondary industries that could land here in Charleston."

Employment created by FutureGen-related economic development should boost the housing market in Charleston and enrollment in the Charleston district, the city manager said.

City staff will be busy in the coming years doing whatever it can to cooperate with other local officials to support the FutureGen project, Smith said.

"It's gong to be a huge undertaking for everyone, but a collective effort I am sure, to make that project a success," Smith said.

As a side note, Smith said he hopes to have a retail recruitment analysis of Charleston and Mattoon ready in time for the International Council of Shopping Centers' May convention in Las Vegas.

The two cities are waiting to see if the state will award a $50,000 grant to fund this analysis, which would match local retail spending demographics with interested developers and retailers. City officials have indicated that they hope Mattoon's selection as the FutureGen site will convince the state to award this grant.

Leaders in Sullivan, another town just up the road from Mattoon, also think it has plenty to offer for the FutureGen project.

Sullivan is a town with housing opportunities, good schools, skilled labor force and good quality of life, so it should be a draw to people moving in for FutureGen, said Mayor Ann Short.

At upcoming Sullivan City Council meetings, Short said she thinks the council will discuss how to be of assistance to Mattoon or other actions they could take.

Plenty of land is available in Sullivan that could be developed for residential or commercial real estate, she said.

"We anticipate some growth here in Sullivan," Short said.

In nearby Arthur, Mayor Dave Conlin said he suspects the village will get a piece of the FutureGen prosperity.

People currently commute to Arthur for work while living in Mattoon, and that is a situation that can work both ways, Conlin said. Arthur has plans for residential real estate development.

Conlin suspects the village's proximity to FutureGen also will mean new business development in the area.

"It will definitely be a boon to Arthur," Conlin said.

Amber Williams can be reached at awilliams@jg-tc.com or 238-6858. Rob Stroud can be reached at rstroud@jg-tc.com or 348-5734.