The Starke County Commissioners discussed the Economic Development Agreement (EDA) with Mammoth Solar, Doral Renewables when they meet Tuesday morning,
Chris Kline reminded the commissioners that he was at the commissioners’ last meeting to review a revised Economic Development Agreement. The existing Economic Development Agreement was passed in March 2022 and had a power range from 400 to 900 MW and the company built a 400 MW system. What is listed in the EDA is the schedule of payments for a 400 MW size facility. He explained that it also had the front loaded payments which are part of the revised version.
Kline said the 400 MW system is live.
Two front loaded payments from 2026 and 2027 would be paid to the county now in the revised version.
Commissioner Michael VanDeMark said he was not inclined to change the EDA from 2022 as he said the money would be needed in 2026 and 2027. Commissioner Don Binkley would like to see the money now and Commission President Charles Chesak said he did not feel that the revised version was necessary.
Kline noted that he wanted to clarify that it was a 400 MW facility.
County Attorney Justin Schramm noted that the county has already been paid $100,000 for one of the payments. It was suggested by VanDeMark that the $100,000 already received would be counted as one of the two payments the county would receive this year.
The company will present a revised EDA with that wording for approval with everything else staying the same. The commissioners agreed to table the proposal until next meeting.
