Second solar farm planned

Another solar farm is in the works.

Jay County Commissioners approved road use and decommissioning agreements with Leeward Renewable Energy for its proposed solar farm in southwest Jay County.

Plans for “Rose Gold Solar” call for a $150 million, 150-megawatt facility on approximately 1,340 acres just north of Dunkirk. This is the second publicly proposed solar farm in Jay County. (Invenergy’s Skycrest Solar, the first solar farm presented to county officials, is slated to finish construction by 2024.) Two other company’s — Scout Clean Energy and NextEra Energy Resources, both of which own and operate wind farms in Jay County, have also expressed interest in solar facilities.

Kelly Pacifico and Kelly Inns of Leeward presented an overview of the project Monday. Rose Gold Solar is projected to generate about $30 million in property taxes over a 35-year life (the project is expected to last anywhere from 30 to 40 years).

Rose Gold Solar’s facility would allow soil to rest and can be reverted to farm land once decommissioned, Pacifico explained. Panels will stand no taller than 15 feet.

Plans are to begin seeking permits in late 2021 or early 2022, with construction to follow. Operations may begin as soon as 2023. The facility would generate 300 construction jobs and, once built, two or three full-time positions, Pacifico added.

Leeward operates 22 renewable energy facilities across nine states.

The road use agreement includes the following: county roads 100 South, 150 South, 200 South, 300 South, 400 South, 1100 West and Knox Road. After 35 years, there would be a potential 10-year lease available to continue with the project, or decommissioning would begin.

Commissioners Chad Aker, Rex Journay and Brian McGalliard approved both agreements unanimously.

An economic development agreement with the company has not been approved yet. (Invenergy agreed to pay the county $1.75 million in economic development payments over the course of four years.)

Also Monday, commissioners gave the OK for Jay County Development Corporation to use $50,000 in previously allocated wind farm economic development funds for Launch Jay, a “Shark Tank”-style competition for entrepreneurs to seek funding to start or expand their businesses.

Jay County Community Development and Jay County Chamber of Commerce will begin taking applications for the competition in August and plan to host workshops in September, leading up to its contest the following month.

“The positive thing is, regardless of who wins and who doesn’t, it gives all the contestants a lot of good information by attending those workshops and having that information,” Richards said. “Even if you don’t win the competition, it might open some doors to you for some other potential funding avenues.”

The funding approved Monday will go toward prizes for the winners.

“I think this is a pretty good program you’re going to start up here,” Aker said. “This is pretty much what (your organizations) have been formed for, I mean, to spark growth, to spark business, anything you can do to help out with that.”

Commissioners also agreed to write a letter of support for Jay County Fair Board to pursue a grant for up to $50,000 in repairs to Floral Hall at Jay County Fairgrounds. Aaron Loy of the fair board and several others gathered in the commissioners’ room to request their support for the project.

Floral Hall was built in 1891, making it the second oldest and largest round barn in the state, Loy explained. The south end of the building has sunk more than 2 feet in recent years, so the fair board is applying for a matching grant through the Indiana Historic Preservation Fund that may fund up to $50,000 for building repairs.

Phase one of the project, which will likely cost anywhere from $155,000 to $175,000, includes lifting the barn, replacing posts and putting a new foundation under the building. Phase two, which will be funded at a later date, will include getting an engineering report for the structure along with repairs and upgrades such as a new roof, siding, doors and windows. (Its cost is estimated at $106,500.)

Because Floral Hall is on county property, the fair board needed commissioners to sign documentation for the grant.

In other business, commissioners:

•Heard a request from Randy Fisher of the Portland Rockets for help with funding for a new building at Portland Memorial Park’s Runkle-Miller Field. “It’s a field that’s been forgotten,” he said, noting the structures there now are too small for the team’s equipment. Fisher said he had not received support from Portland Park Board despite numerous attempts and The Portland Foundation would not fund the request because it is city property. Aker recommended Fisher visit Portland City Council to discuss the matter.

•OK’d the following: Jay County Sheriff Dwane Ford to move forward with purchasing and installing new heating, ventilation and air conditioning parts for Jay County Jail; county assessor Robin Alberson to hire an attorney for a tax appeal court case; releasing the remaining funds allocated to the towns of Pennville and Salamonia from Bluff Point Wind Farm economic payments (Salamonia requested the monies in order to fix the roof at Salamonia Schoolhouse Community Center).

•Agreed to run a one-day notice for free wood at Jay County Highway Department. The lumber is leftover from cleanup after the tornado in northeastern Jay County last month. Those interested can call the highway department at (260) 726-8701.

•Accepted a five-year agreement at $4,589 for upgrading one of Jay County Courthouse’s firewall devices.

•Discussed recognizing Juneteenth (June 19) as a holiday for county employees. (Commissioners tabled the matter.)

•Signed the following claims: $7,695 for tree services at Liber Cemetery, $5,000 for a rendering of the planned Jay County Humane Society building and $3,984 for the new highway department copier.

•Met Christy Shauver, the new director of Jay County Community Development.