HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce is asking for member support of the NextEra wind project. In a message to members, the chamber provided information on the project and listed positive impacts the wind farm could have on business and the economy.
The wind farm has been met with staunch opposition by some landowners in the area. The county planning commission has already said it will recommend that the commission denies the conditional use permit for the project following a long public hearing last month.
The message reads as follows:
NextEra Energy Resources’ Pretty Prairie Wind project is currently under consideration by Reno County for a conditional use permit. After several meetings, the county Planning and Zoning Board voted to not recommend the project for approval, even though numerous Reno County employees from the County Appraiser to the Reno County Health Department gave their recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Board to approve the project. Now the project will go to the Reno County commissioners for a final vote on May 21st.
The Pretty Prairie Wind Project represents an important part of our country’s future economic growth. According to a study by Fort Hays State University, the project is expected to create an overall positive economic impact of approximately $132 million. That includes $39 million in additional tax revenue for Reno County, $50 million in payments to landowners, 250 construction jobs and 15-20 good-paying, full-time operational jobs. That kind of local investment can provide a tremendous uplift to all Reno County businesses and residents.
Additionally, the project represents exactly the kind of low-impact, high-value development that can have a positive effect in Reno County. Each wind turbine will take up less than one acre of land, use no water, make no emissions and require no new municipal services to maintain them. In these times, business recruitment is competitive and turning away a viable and reputable business that wants to locate in our community would be negligent to the economic growth in this area.
There are numerous wind projects all across the country, including seven NextEra projects here in Kansas. All of these projects are maintaining our clean air and water, providing renewable electricity and economic benefits for our entire state. At a time when many crops are at historically low prices, we need to be looking at alternative ways to support our economy. The Reno County economy needs a boost and not only will this project help stimulate our economy, it will also provide much needed maintenance and improvement to roads and bridges in our county.
It has come to light that a large number of the people who spoke in opposition to this project at the public hearings are Sedgwick County residents. These people do not live, work, or conduct business in Reno County and therefore we urge our county commissioners to not take their voices over the betterment of our Reno County economy.
A vote that terminates this project could send a message that Reno County is closed for business when it comes to wind energy. As we work to strengthen the local economy, we cannot turn our back on a project that offers tremendous benefits as well as supports the industry that represents one of our county’s largest employers.
If you are supportive of this project, we ask you to contact our county commissioners and urge them to approve Pretty Prairie Wind’s permit application and make a smart investment in our county’s economic future:
Commissioner Bob Bush: 620-694-2929 bob.bush@renogov.org
Commissioner Ron Hirst: 620-694-2929 ron.hirst@renogov.org
Commissioner Ron Sellers: 620-694-2929 ron.sellers@renogov.org
Respectfully,
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber Board of Directors & Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber Economic Development Advisory Council