EVANSVILLE — Residents with questions on a proposed solar project in Vanderburgh County have another opportunity to learn more next week.
Orion Renewables Energy Group will host the informational meeting from 6-7 p.m. July 16 at Venue 812, 1401 N. Boeke Road.
Orion is asking for attendees to RSVP. This can be done online via the RSVP form.
As currently proposed, the Bluegrass Creek Solar Project is planned for farmland near the intersection of Interstate 69 and Indiana 57. The plot is around 900 acres, located north of the Vanderburgh County Industrial Park.
The privately owned land is currently zoned for agriculture, and Orion is in the process of seeking a special-use permit for the project.
At the end of May, the Vanderburgh County Commissioners agreed to table three agreements connected to the project.
An economic agreement, road use agreement and decommission agreement were up for discussion, and commissioners Justin Elpers, Amy Canterbury and Mike Goebel voted to table them until more questions were answered.
Prior to that commission meeting, Orion had hosted one informational session. A second has been held since the meeting, and the July 16 session will mark the third.
Multiple neighbors in attendance at the commission meeting spoke against the development.
Orion officials claim the project would have a large economic impact on the county. The company is offering both jobs for residents and lump-sum payments to the county if the project succeeds.
The investment from Orion is listed in the project description at around $200 million, offering around $30 million in tax revenue.
Jobs during construction will top out at 100, and during operation there will be chances to for several full-time and part-time opportunities, the company stated.
Orion is not asking for any tax abatements as a part of the project.
The Area Plan Commission has documents related to the project available for view on its website.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Information session set for proposed Bluegrass Creek Solar Project in Vanderburgh County
Reporting by Sarah Loesch, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
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