My father, Ardo Curnyn, founded Curnyn Construction in 1941. A Geneseo, Ill., based company, it is not often that big infrastructure projects with the opportunity for considerable work, comes right near our hometown. We are a family run company, with the income we make being invested right back into our community to help support our local economy. We need more opportunities for local jobs; we need the projects that bring those jobs.

As an Illinois resident and businessman, I like the idea of an influx of low-cost, domestically-produced power that will keep our costs down. I support the Rock Island Clean Line transmission project. I also applaud Clean Line Energy for working with Kiewit Construction, to visit with and learn more about local businesses early in their development process, so that companies like mine have a shot at participating in the construction of the project.

Back in the 1960s, my dad worked with Kiewit to help build the section of I-80 between Moline and Atkinson. Likewise, the construction of this new transmission line could offer us the chance to carry on our company’s legacy by working on another important Illinois infrastructure project.