Logan County joins in celebrating Illinois’ first American Wind Week August 9th through 15th

 

[August 08, 2020] 

Illinois celebrates its first American Wind Week, August 9-15, and Logan County is joining in. Marked by official proclamations from Governor Pritzker and more than a dozen communities across the state, the surge in attention reflects Illinois growing dominance for wind development – the 3rd fastest growing state in the nation for new wind investment.

Logan County is no stranger to the economic benefits of wind development. With three wind farms operational today and a fourth under construction, it is enjoying significant new funding to invest in our communities, in services for our residents, and in long-term community revitalization for our towns and villages.

With Covid-19 impacting our local businesses, schools, and our two local colleges, we are fortunate to have the extra layer of certainty in local budgets that harvesting wind provides. Reliable, locally controlled revenue sources allow us to continue major projects in the county, even in difficult economic times – including the renovation of county buildings and the construction of a new high school in Mount Pulaski.

In addition to the significant tax revenues for basic services, the wind industry is an important new community partner for our region. The industry has responded to numerous local charities in need – often without recognition. Hill Topper wind farm, the most recently completed project, contributed $110,000 to area economic development, allowing for the creation of a local food coop and renovation of historic buildings, including the historic former courthouse where Abraham Lincoln once practiced law in Mount Pulaski.

The wind projects in our region generate hundreds of millions of dollars in capital spending across the state, and tens of millions of dollars in payments to landowners over the life of each wind farm. Our partnership with the wind industry also presents an important opportunity for future growth and prosperity outside the energy sector. Expanded access to clean and reliable new sources of energy make Logan County more attractive to additional new investment from industries of all kinds.

The Logan County Economic Development Partnership is proud to partner with the wind industry and further add to the diversity of energy that is helping Logan County and Central Illinois grow and prosper.

The mission of the Logan County Economic Development Partnership is to cultivate a business environment that enhances Logan County by expanding our local and regional economy through programs that sustain and grow existing businesses, attract and establish new businesses, increase the quality of our workforce, and enhance the ability of each community to improve its own local economy.

[Bill Thomas, Executive Director
Logan County Economic Development Partnership]