The Starke County Commissioners and the Starke County Council members signed documents Monday related to the Mammoth Solar project in the Bass Lake area, and the Dunns Bridge solar project in the San Pierre area.
The Starke County Council held a public hearing concerning the Economic Revitalization Area (ERA) proposed for the Mammoth Solar project which prompted questions about the life of the ERA. It was explained that it would be for a term of approximately 20 years at 100 percent abatement. While that means an abatement on equipment for the project, an Economic Development Agreement itemizes economic development payments to the county that will result in unrestricted funds to focus on economic development projects to better the county.
In the Mammoth Solar project, the county will receive $23 million over the course of 20 years.
The Economic Development Agreement also includes a Road Use Affidavit that includes a plan for what roads will be used during the course of construction and while the solar project is in use. It also includes a course of action for any repairs that need to be done.
Following the public hearing, the council members approved the Confirmatory Resolution for the Economic Revitalization Area and the Economic Development Agreement. The commissioners signed the same documents during their meeting earlier in the day Monday.
The council members also approved the Economic Development Agreement for the Dunns Bridge project. The county is expected to receive a total of about $6.4 million over the course of 15 years. It also includes a Road Use Agreement for the care and repair of roads used during construction and while the project is in use.
The commissioners also signed the documents for this project, along with a Decommissioning Agreement.
A public hearing for the Economic Revitalization Area for the Dunns Bridge project will be held during the Starke County Council meeting Monday, April 18. The exact terms will be given during that meeting.
It was noted during the council meeting that the solar companies have been willing to work with the county to meet the needs and concerns of the county as the negotiations continued to reach this point.
