Plans to build a $700-million dollar natural gas fired, electric power plant in Superior has generated a great deal of attention both for and against.

Two weeks ago, opponents of the project made their opinions known to Superior city leaders as building permits are being decided on.

On Thursday however, those in favor of the Nemadji trail energy center sharing their support.

The Wisconsin manufacturers & commerce organization, along with the Americans for prosperity-Wisconsin group shared what they say is a critical message at a critical time.

“The main message here today is one of unity,” Scott Manley, the executive vice-president of government relations for the Wisconsin manufacturers & commerce organization said. “We’ve got the business communities here in force. We’ve got local elected officials. We’ve got a member of our congressional delegation, Congressman Tom Tiffany. And the message is to the people of Superior, we’re right at the finish line. We’ve got to get this across the finish line. We need the city council to vote to grant the local approvals to allow this clean energy that our local economy here desperately needs to be built.”

Twin ports area business leaders at Thursday’s event said Superior’s already healthy manufacturing industry is critical to the local economy. If built, the NTEC project would be the single-largest private investment in Douglas county history.