A city in central Illinois is deciding whether to conduct a study to determine if there would be a local market for Asian carp.

The Pekin City Council will meet Monday to vote on funding for the proposal, which could pave the way for an Asian carp processing plant. Reports indicate City Manager Darin Girdler says several companies have expressed interest in bringing such a facility to Pekin. He says the $8,000 market/feasibility study would be conducted by the University of Illinois to determine the viability of the venture.

Girdler adds the city could ask other municipalities if they would like to participate in the study.

The study could help the city obtain U.S. Department of Agriculture loans to construct a facility.