The proposed Alta Farms II wind project, currently under zoning review in DeWitt County, has earned a key endorsement from a local wind tower manufacturer. 

In a letter to the DeWitt County Zoning Board of Appeals dated January 27, an executive of Arcosa Wind Towers, Inc. cited local job benefits in urging the board to recommend the project.

Wesley Bourland, senior vice president and general manager of the manufacturer said in a release Friday, quote - “The Alta Farms II project will not only give DeWitt County an opportunity to participate in the ever-growing enterprise of clean energy production, it will provide immediate direct economic benefits to all of the citizens of DeWitt County. Because the developers of the Alta Farms II project have committed to sourcing local components from Arcosa Wind Towers, this project presents a unique opportunity for DeWitt County that should not be missed.”

The Arcosa Wind Towers manufacturing facility in Clinton has supplied wind turbine components for projects in Illinois and across the Midwest. Tradewind Energy, an Enel Green Power company, is developing Alta Farms II and has publicly committed to source at least 20 percent of the wind tower components from the Clinton facility.

Tom Swierczewski, senior development director with Tradewind Energy said, quote - “We’re thrilled to have the support of one of DeWitt County’s largest employers. The endorsement of Arcosa Wind Towers further emphasizes the wide economic impact Alta Farms II will bring to this community, and we’re excited to see momentum continue to build for the project.”

The proposed wind project faces several more days of public hearings before the Zoning Board of Appeals in advance of a vote on a nonbinding recommendation to the DeWitt County Board, which is the final decision-maker on the project’s special use permit application.

Alta Farms II is projected to create an array of economic benefits to DeWitt County, including over 230 new construction jobs, $13.8 million in new earnings during construction, $22.1 million in total school district net revenue over the life of the project and over $4.6 million in county property tax revenue over the life of the project. These benefits are conditional on timely approval of the project application as proposed, which would enable Alta Farms to begin operating in 2021.

More information about Alta Farms II is available at WindWorksforDeWitt.org.