GRAFTON, Ill. (KMOX) — Construction should begin by next month on a Metro East Asian Carp processing plant.

Grafton Mayor Tom Thompson tells KMOX the plant will be constructed on an existing facility and when fully operational, he expects to export 15-million carp to China.

“We think that is the ultimate solution to diminish the numbers of the carp,” Thompson said. “We’re never going to eradicate them.”

Illinois conservation officials fear if the Asian Carp got into Lake Michigan it would have a disastrous effect on the fishing industry.

The $1.9 million project is expected to generate 33 new green jobs by the time it opens.