Hoosier Solar has permitted 410 megawatts (MW) of utility-scale solar energy projects in Starke County.
During their meetings Monday, December 16, the Starke County Commissioners approved the Economic Development Agreements presented by Hoosier Solar with a vote of 2-1 with Don Binkley and Mark Gourley in favor and Charles Chesak opposed, and the Starke County Council members approved the agreements by a vote of 4-3 with council members Dave Pearman, Howard Bailey, Bruce Bennett and Tony Black in favor and Cassandra Hine, Todd Leinbach and Kay Gudeman opposed.
The two project sites, named North Bend and Starke Central, will be respectively located east of Bass Lake and northeast of Knox. With a total of over 2,500 acres between the solar farms, including 16 participating landowners and 21 participating neighbors, the Hoosier Solar projects have the combined capacity to power over 53,000 homes located nearby.
The solar farms will bring over $1 million in additional economic benefits to Starke County annually, which could revitalize County infrastructure and be used to otherwise benefit the County and its residents. Hoosier Solar has included an additional $150,000 to support EMS/Fire as the County sees fit. Furthermore, the company states that the economic impact analysis reports for these projects show they lower property taxes for the entire community by $285,500 annually.
Hoosier Solar has worked to engage with the Starke County community, participating in dialogue with residents and County leaders alike to ensure the projects are responsibly sited and to make truly meaningful investments in community programs.
Starke County landowners participating in the Hoosier Solar projects have also voiced their enthusiasm for the long-term benefits these projects bring to their properties, families and the wider community.
For more information, visit hoosiersolar.com.
