Wind Energy meeting set

Wind Energy Community Meeting Set for Union City

Community Leaders, land owners, and interested citizens to meet November 10, 2010 to explore benefits of potential wind projects

Union City - The Union City Community Economic Development Committee (UCCEDC) will be hosting a community gathering to discuss the issue of wind energy on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 7 PM at Mississinawa Valley High School.  The event has been organized in response to the number of wind farms under development in the region and to discuss their potential impact on both Darke County, Ohio and Randolph County, Indiana.  Food and drinks will be provided and the public is encouraged to attend.

This community meeting will feature an array of speakers including economic development personnel, public officials, local citizens, and industry reps.   The UCCEDC’s goal is to provide a forum for the public to learn more about the potential impact of the wind farms on the region, and ask questions of wind industry leaders and landowners within each county, all in an effort to foster a community commitment to grow along with the alternative/renewable energy industry.

           

Over the past few years, at least four companies secured land agreements across the two counties for the installation of wind turbines.  One of these, Invenergy LLC, based in Chicago, Illinois, has been working locally to develop a wind farm since 2008.  If successful, the farm will consist of approximately 125 wind turbines in Darke County, particularly in the Union City area, and have an estimated 187.5 megawatt capacity.

“This project would have a huge economic impact in our community,” said Curt Brooks of Old National Bank in Union City, Ohio and also a member of the UCCEDC.

The numbers back Brooks up.  The Invenergy Wind Farm Project, operating locally as Darke Wind Energy LLC, represents a potential $400 million investment in Darke County and the Union City areas. That investment could generate $1.3 million in tax revenue a year for the local community.  Additionally, the company estimates that it will spend approximately $15,000,000 spent locally during the project’s construction phase alone.

Many local land owners are enthusiastic about the opportunity.

“Being a part of the original landowners that negotiated the lease, we feel the terms are in the best interest of the agricultural community,” stated Paul Armstrong, who has already signed with Darke Wind Energy LLC. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The numbers have also caught the eye of various local development organizations.

“I believe we must seize the moment and knock down any barriers that could inhibit our ability to secure these projects,” said UCCEDC President Rob Lykins, who added that his committee whole-heartedly endorses both the Darke County-based Invenergy and the Randolph County-based Horizon Wind Energy projects. “I’m not sure we'll see another opportunity to land almost $1 billion in local investment in our lifetimes.  The economic impact to Darke and Randolph Counties would positively impact virtually everyone who lives, works, and plays here.  We must do what we can to help these projects through to completion.”

Horizon’s project is under development in Randolph County, and is in close proximity to Union City, Indiana.  Like Invenergy, Horizon’s project has been in development for several years and represents another potential investment of hundreds of millions of dollars in the local area.

“The benefits of these wind farm projects even go beyond the investment numbers,” commented Marc Saluk, Darke County’s Economic Development Director. “Their existence here will continue to help us brand the region as an alternative energy hub.  Just as with our ethanol plants and our solar projects, the wind farms will help lure jobs and investments down the line as the renewable fuels industry continues to grow.”

The Mississinawa Valley School is located at 10480 Staudt Road, Union City, Ohio.  The community meeting will be held in the high school cafetorium.  More information about the meeting can be obtained by calling the UCCEDC at 765-964-6009 Ext 205 or by calling the Darke County Economic Development Office at 937-548-3250.