The Vandalia City Council gave its blessing to move forward towards holding a public hearing for a possible extension of the Enterprise Zone for a proposed solar farm northeast of Ramsey. Matt Hortenstine was on hand as a representative of Ranger Power to discuss the solar project which would be built on his family’s farmland.
Audio PlayerHortenstine says they are asking for an extension to the Enterprise Zone to include the solar project.
Audio PlayerWhile the end project will only create five long term jobs for maintenance of the solar project, he says there would be upwards of 300-400 jobs for the constructing of the solar field.
Audio PlayerWith those constructing the solar field spending money on hotels, food and other items in the county while construction was going on with the project, that would be helpful to local businesses. Following a few questions from council members, the six aldermen in attendance approved for the matter to move towards a public hearing. Approval will be needed from other entities in the Enterprise Zone to move forward with the matter. The Fayette County Board heard from Hortenstine during their monthly meeting last week and also gave it support to move forward with a public hearing in the matter. After a hearing, final approval would have to be given by the Fayette County Board, the Cities of Vandalia and St. Elmo and the Villages of Brownstown and Ramsey to expand the Enterprise Zone.
