Extension is approved

A proposed solar farm will take an additional year to begin construction.

Jay County Commissioners agreed Monday to amend an economic development agreement with Hodson Energy on its New Jay Solar farm, adjusting the timeline to factor in new requirements.

Jay County Council approved the timeline amendment on the economic development agreement — it requires joint approval from commissioners and council — and tax abatement at its meeting Wednesday.

Hodson Energy is planning a 311-acre farm in Richland Township, just east of Dunkirk. It plans to invest around $67.5 million into the facility, which is expected to produce up to 39 megawatts of energy and employ one to two full-time solar technicians on site.

Hodson Energy is one of four renewable energy companies planning solar farms in Jay County. It’s also the latest of the group to seek a timeline change, with the county approving amendments to construction date timelines on agreements with Scout Clean Energy, Leeward Renewable Energy and Invenergy in 2024.

The company signed economic development, road use and decommissioning agreements with the county as well as a development plan and 10-year tax abatement last year. Hodson Energy will provide $2.516 million to Jay County over four years, per the economic development agreement.

The company’s original timeline as approved on county agreements set construction to begin no later than June 30, 2026, with the facility to begin generating electricity by Dec. 31, 2027. That timeline has now shifted, with a completion date no later than Dec. 31, 2028. 

Another change to the agreement, similar to those approved with other solar companies, requires Hodson Energy to make its first economic development payment to the county at the start of construction.

Hodson Energy chief development officer Kyle West explained new requirements through regional transmission organization PJM interconnection surrounding procurement of major equipment and sourcing of that equipment have led to setbacks for the project.

Responding to a question from Jay County Redevelopment Commission president Carl Walker, West confirmed his company will be breaking ground on the project in the near future.

“Many millions of dollars have already been spent on this project, so there is no way we’re not going forward,” said West. “To be able to procure the equipment and get it on site in the time that we need, we need an additional year.”

West also added that a timeline extension wouldn’t normally be in his company’s best interest.

“This is not what we want, as a developer, we make money when we build projects, and time is not our friend,” West said. “We don’t want to be asking for this extension, but this is a situation that’s just out of our control, just like the other projects.”

Commissioners Chad Aker, Doug Horn and Duane Monroe then approved the amended agreement.