What could become one of the United States’ largest solar farms broke ground Thursday in Bass Lake. The 13,000-acre Mammoth Solar Project is being developed by a partnership involving Israeli energy company Doral Group. Governor Eric Holcomb, Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan, and numerous state and local officials converged on the Melody Drive-In for the groundbreaking ceremony.
The governor said the project puts Starke County at the “epicenter of the universe,” when it comes to preparing the way for the future. “To think about this being the largest solar farm in our country being led right here at home, this is an extremely significant day, and I don’t want it lost just how appreciative we are,” Holcomb said.
Connie Neininger with Hoosiers for Renewables said projects like Mammoth Solar help strengthen rural communities’ tax base, while also benefiting local farmers. “Mammoth North Solar will work with Starke County’s rural nature by providing the farmland owners a sustainable income that is not dependent on weather, federal trade policies, or global grain prices,” Neininger said.
Starke County Commissioner Mark Gourley called Thursday’s groundbreaking a momentous occasion, noting that the solar farm will power lives throughout the country. “I have never, in my life, seen anything like this project here, and it’s almost stunning me speechless,” he said.
The three-phase project is expected to create about 500 construction jobs. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation says it’s working to finalize incentive-based tax credits if 50 permanent full-time jobs are in place by the end of 2023.
Local incentives are also expected to be considered. In Pulaski County, officials are expected to negotiate a potential tax abatement and economic development agreement between now and December.
