The New Carlisle Power Plant proposal will move one step closer to completion after Thursday night's public hearing over air concerns.

Representatives from the plant met with the St. Joseph County Council Thursday to address concerns before heading to a public hearing.

The public hearing is part of the process toward getting their final permit for construction.

Thursday night allows New Carlisle residents and others to express concerns, and ask questions about the new plant.

At the pre-hearing with the council, city representatives said they were worried about water, traffic and noise, but the power plant speakers say they're taking the proper steps in keeping the community informed.

"We feel that item does an excellent job in terms of studying the impacts and the type of looking at their air quality issues and ensuring that we have the latest available technology facilities so we're optimistic that they'll see it the same way and the project will move forward in this next stage of air permit," says Willard Ladd the Principal at Development Partners.

The project is expected to cost around $700 million and if all goes through, construction should begin around this time next year.