Construction has begun on a $1 billion power plant in Niles.

Ground broke Wednesday on the Indeck Niles Energy Center power plant, which is expected to create hundreds of jobs and establish a state-of-the-art facility.

Congressman Fred Upton said the plant will produce energy in a cheaper, more efficient way, and likely double the tax base in the city of Niles.

Officials say the building of Indeck Niles will create 500 jobs, and 21 full-time jobs will staff it after it’s finished. Construction is expected to take three years and the plant should open in March of 2022.