Two companies are interested in using the Ohio River to create electricity by building a hydrokinetic plant at the New Cumberland Locks and Dam.

McGinnis Inc. of Ohio received a preliminary permit to study the water Wednesday.

Project Manager Rob Lynch said their plant would include putting massive turbines on a barge in the river.

"We would pull up to the sight, drop the turbines and let the free flow of the river turn the turbines and create electricity," said Lynch.

The company would then sell the green energy they collect to power companies.

The plant would only create a handful of jobs but it would mean a big boost to the city of New Cumberland.

Mayor Joe Sargent said the city relies heavily on video lottery money and that's not so easy to predict.

If a hydrokinetic plant is built, the city would get major cash from the Business and Occupation tax.

"It would definitely relieve stress," said Sargent. "We wouldn't have to worry about monies that are coming in to us now."

The new mayor believes new industry is a must.

"Our steel industry has gone downhill and we can't really rely on that any longer," he said. "We need to take advantage of the resources available to us and that is the river."

Sargent also believes the flowing river water is key to keeping local economies afloat in the future.

The companies have three years from the date of the issued preliminary permit to complete feasibility studies.

The second company, Hydro Friends of Texas, did not return a call from NEWS9.