Paulding Progress | James Growe December 11
There’s a lot to get excited about in Northwest Ohio – especially our renewable energy infrastructure. As an operations manager at EDP Renewables North America’s (EDPR NA) Timber Road Wind Farm in Paulding County, and Hog Creek Wind Farm in Hardin County, Ohio I am privileged to be a firsthand witness of the transformative impact these projects, and others like them, have had on our beloved community.
These two projects, located in our picturesque counties, have harnessed the power of clean, renewable wind energy and have generated a plethora of economic opportunities for community residents. The projects have ushered in economic stability and prosperity, ensuring our local economy remains strong.
Timber Road and Hog Creek Wind Farms created 266 construction jobs and 30 permanent jobs for local individuals and skilled professionals. These opportunities have allowed residents to secure stable incomes while encouraging skilled professionals to remain within our community, preventing the brain drain that can plague rural areas.
Furthermore, the wind farms have become a reliable source of revenue for our counties through taxes and lease agreements. Timber Road and Hog Creek’s $497 million capital investment has disbursed $6.8 million to local governments, has spent $33 million within 50 miles of the farms, and paid more than $14.3 million to our landowners.
In addition to the economic advantages, these wind farms have been an environmental boon, reducing carbon emissions and other air pollution, and supporting our commitment to a sustainable future for the next generations. I am proud that Ohio is solidifying its role as a clean energy leader as it brings me a sense of hope and optimism for the future of the children of this state, including my own. Continuing down this path, we are leaving a stronger, cleaner, and more resilient energy grid for future generations. Apart from my family, there are few things that I love as much as seeing the wind turbines on the horizon, knowing each one is creating a better future for our state and our planet.
While some may not share in my excitement for homegrown, community-driven energy production, everyone can get behind decisions that work in the best interest of our children. It is even more impressive that Ohio’s success in the renewable arena has been community-driven from the outset. Landowners, school districts, emergency services, infrastructure servicing, residents, and more, all benefit from clean energy generation, land lease agreements, and local tax dollars.
As a clean energy worker, I have the honor of going to work for Paulding and Hardin Counties every single day. The people who live here are proper stewards of the land and communities in which they live; the energy sources we depend on should be the same.
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