(Spirit Lake)– The Dickinson county board of supervisors Tuesday were updated on plans for another wind farm in the county.
Al Blum is with the Estherville Industrial Development Commission and is heading up a group looking to put up a wind farm in northeast Dickinson and northwest Emmet county known as the “North Star Wind Energy Farm”.
Blum told the supervisors they’re second in line to receive a state tax credit for large wind farms. He says the new incentive being offered by the state is a major component of the project. Instead of just the power companies, Blum says the tax credit will make it possible for landowners and investors to reap rewards from the project.
As we reported previously, the project would consist of 32 turbines over 35 miles. Blum says they’re continuing to negotiate 20-year purchase agreements with power companies, as well as working with landowners.
Blum says the local project is being designed after a similar one just across the border in Shetek and Jeffers, Minnesota.
Blum says the project will represent 120 million dollars worth of construction in Emmet and Dickinson counties with landowners beneffiting through lease payments. He says the counties will benefit through more than a million dollars a year in additional tax revenue.
If things go accordingly, Blum says construction could start a year from now.
Blum is requesting letters of support from the two counties.
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