Solar development is ramping up in Starke County, according to Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Lisa Dan. She told the North Judson Town Council Monday that the Starke Solar/Mammoth Solar project south of Bass Lake is expected to break ground in October, with construction to be complete by the summer of 2023.
“[We’re] looking forward to it,” Dan said. “I mean, it’s a big investment in Starke County and will create a lot of tax dollars and some big incentives for the county. So we see it as a win.”
Dan told the Starke County Commissioners Monday that the project will create a lot of construction jobs and hopefully 30 permanent maintenance jobs. Now, she says the Indiana Economic Development Corporation wants a letter of support from the county, “to satisfy statutory requirements” and allow the state to provide incentives.
During the town council meeting, Dan said that the solar panels shouldn’t be very visible, and while some property owners have expressed concern, there hasn’t been the same level of opposition as there’s been in the Pulaski County portion of the project.
Meanwhile, Dan is also working to set up a community meeting with the developer of a proposed solar project in Railroad Township. It would be located west of San Pierre near the Jasper County line.
