The Department of Environmental Quality is expected to grant Osage Bio Energy LLC an air permit the company needs to begin construction of an ethanol plant in Hopewell.

The company plans to build a plant in a 55-acre site near downtown, which would bring 45 to 55 full-time jobs and an estimated $2.2 million in tax revenue to the city. The company expects to begin construction this fall.

The DEQ permit is the last major step the company needs to move forward with the project.

Osage Bio Energy purchased the site in June and has faced opposition from city residents and leaders who say the plant is too close to downtown businesses and residential area.

The plant is expected to be Virginia's first ethanol facility.