PLEASANT PRAIRIE — EMCO Chemical Distributors, Inc., based in North Chicago, Ill., cleared “a big hurdle” this week in its plans to locate a distribution facility in LakeView Corporate Park that could bring 80-125 jobs to the area, EMCO President Edward Polen said Thursday.

The company, which stores, repackages and distributes chemicals for industries throughout the upper Great Lakes region, got unanimous approval from the Plan Commission earlier this week for a conditional use permit.

EMCO currently has 350 to 400 employees and has manufacturing, distribution and laboratory operations in North Chicago, another plant in Columbia, Ill., a warehouse in Minnesota and a waste consolidation facility located in the Business Park of Kenosha. The company did $185 million in sales in 2006, the latest sales earnings reported on its Web site, and had its ISO 9001 certification renewed the same year.

“What drew us to the area was we were looking for a property with a railroad siding. It also has reasonable proximity to our North Chicago facility,” Polen told the Kenosha News. “We’re not closing North Chicago, we’re expanding. We’re running out of space.”

The company has a contract to buy the 259,580-square-foot building formerly occupied by Lawter International and Hexion Chemical at 8601 95th St. Hexion is its current owner. Polen said before any sale is final, an environmental study and plans need to be reviewed and approved by the state of Wisconsin, but he hopes to close on the property in the first quarter of 2010. The building has room for future expansion, and EMCO will need to have custom equipment installed, Polen said.

While the now-vacant building offers a number of things EMCO needs and has room for expansion, Polen said, “We’re going to have to make a substantial investment in the property.”

If all goes according to plan, Polen expects the operation to be up and running within a year of closing. “I think it will be good for the economy,” he said. “As a token of my appreciation to the community, I bought a ‘Go, Packers’ decal and keep it in my briefcase.”

Development Director Jean Werbie said EMCO Chemical Distributors Inc., approached the village in late spring about plans to expand into LakeView Corporate Park.

“It means that we’re bringing life to an existing facility that had shuttered its doors,” Werbie said. “They’re a company that has professed to be a good neighbor for the community. They’re very civic-minded and want to be part of the LakeView community.”