Just imagine…
Hundreds of new jobs, sustainable economic development, savings for consumers, and a healthier environment.
Just imagine…
Tens of millions of dollars in new revenue to fund top local priorities, including: schools, first responders, libraries, essential infrastructure, and much more – all without raising your taxes a dollar.
Thanks to a proposed, new wind energy project east of US-55, this is all within reach.
Macon County already hit a home run with Radford’s Run Wind Farm. We know wind works in Macon County and have already seen it help grow the tax base and increase funding for schools. A second wind project would build on the foundation laid by Radford’s Run to continue growing the economy, creating new jobs, generating opportunity, and making Macon County an even better place to live.
RWE Renewables, which developed Radford’s Run when it was known as E.ON, is one of the nation’s largest renewable energy companies. It is now working to develop the Greenswitch Wind Farm in a space located approximately between Forsyth, Maroa and Argenta. This project would provide Macon county with a long list of benefits, including:
- A $250 million investment.
- Nearly $30 million in new tax revenue over the life of the project.
- Nearly 200 construction jobs and six to 12 long-term, new jobs.
- Nearly $1 million in dependable lease payments to Macon County family farmers and landowners each and every year for 30 years – all while leaving 99% of the land in the project area unchanged.
Greenswitch Wind builds on the success already achieved by Radford’s Run wind farm. Completed in 2017, that project immediately began delivering economic benefits to Macon County. Spread across 30,000 acres just (west of) US-51, Radford’s Run is the largest, single-phase wind farm built in Illinois and was the largest wind farm built in the entire country in 2017.
Radford’s Run is already demonstrating its value to Macon County residents:
- Its turbines have the capacity to power 90,000 Illinois homes.
- Landowners and farmers are projected to receive $46 million in stable payments over the life of the project, helping to sustain and boost the local economy.
- It created more than 300 on-site construction jobs and 21 permanent jobs in the community.
- $46 million will be paid in local tax revenue over 30 years, including:
- $4.7 million to Austin Township
- $2.6 million to Maroa Township
- $7 million for social services, public safety, etc.
- $31.8 million to local school districts
Let’s seize the next opportunity with the Greenswitch project.
Let’s build on what works.
Let’s get started building the future.
Economic Benefits of Greenswitch Wind
Total investment for Macon County.
At least $25 to $30 million in additional tax revenue for Macon County over 30 years to support essential services like local first responders, schools and more.
Additional county income can help reduce tax burden on residents and avoid tax increases to cover potential budget shortfalls.
More than $30 million paid for labor and construction companies, and a commitment to hire and spend locally when possible.
More than $1 million in stable, yearly lease payments to Macon County family farmers and landowners over 30 years, all while leaving 97 of the land in the project area.
150+ temporary construction jobs; 8-12 long-term, good-paying local jobs; and a commitment to hire locally wherever possible.
Many miles of local road upgrades at no cost to taxpayers.
Proposed
turbines:
40 to 63
Energy produced:
Power for 50K Homes
Total
investment:
$250 Million
Expected Construction Jobs:
150+
Land Use
The turbines would share agricultural land with mostly corn and soybeans. The proposed project site encompasses approximately 18,000 acres in Macon County. Including access roads, each turbine would use approximately a 1/2 acre of land – enabling farmers, ranchers, and landowners to continue their current land use on more than 97% of the land in the project.
Property Values
According to the Energy and Policy Institute, “Studies find properties that host wind farms are worth more after turbines are installed. Nearby properties are unaffected…Ten major studies in three countries of 1.3 million property transactions over 18 years of data have found no connection between wind farms and property values. Yet the fear of property value loss persists and is exploited by anti-wind campaigning groups in their attempts to turn local populaces against wind developments.”
https://www.energyandpolicy.org/wind-energy-does-not-hurt-property-values/
