The Pulaski County Commissioners reviewed the Economic Development Agreement and tax abatement documents recently approved by the Pulaski County Council members concerning the Moss Creek Solar Project.
The project will include the installation of a 200 Megawatt solar array on 1,021 fenced-in acres of agricultural land in Beaver Township with a $200 million investment in Pulaski County. The tax abatement would result in an estimated property tax savings of over $10 million, but Moss Creek Solar would provide $6 million in minimum Economic Development payments to the county over an eight-year period.
The commissioners approved the paperwork as presented with a unanimous vote. They have also signed the Mammoth Solar project which will include the installation of solar panels on several thousand acres of agricultural land in Rich Grove, Jefferson, Franklin, Monroe, and Beaver Townships with a $1 billion investment in Pulaski County.
According to Baker Tilly officials, the utility property abatement would be for 20 years which would result in an estimated property tax savings of over $40 million, but Mammoth Solar would provide $34.6 million in minimum Economic Development payments to the county over a 20-year period.
Commission President Chuck Mellon offered a statement from his perspective concerning the solar projects.
Mellon stated, “We need to realize that these projects have created a challenge for both the commissioners and the council – not just now, not just during construction, but for the life of the contracts. This challenge is to assure that all contents of these signed documents are adhered to until the very end. I hope and pray that any dissention among family members, neighbors, and the community in general that these projects have caused can mellow over time and all residents of Pulaski County can move forward as one.”
The commissioners approved the Economic Development Agreement and tax abatement documents with a unanimous vote.
Both projects are anticipated to begin construction later this year.
