IT'S THE BEST CROP YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE AND THE MOST PROFITABLE CROP YOU COULD EVER RAISE.
formed the steering committee to learn
The more the committee learned, the
about wind energy, determine how wind
more they envisioned wind energy in Is-
development would be received, and de-
abella County.
cide if it was right for their area. The group
"It's the best crop you're going to have
spent nearly a year meeting regularly,
and the most profitable crop you could
researching wind power, visiting wind
ever raise," says Walton. "We couldn't see
farms, and talking with landowners, farm-
where it was going to be a detriment to
ers, local officials, and attorneys.
the area." Tax revenue from Isabella Wind, an Apex project, could amount to about $31 million over 25 years for local schools, townships, and the county. Landowner payments could total another $103 million, a significant investment for the community. "The revenue to the area residents that are willing to lease will be very beneficial," says Walton. "It'll be extra income spent in our community that can help local businesses." After months of work, the committee reached a decision: they wanted wind energy in Isabella County. With legal counsel, the group reviewed leases from three different wind energy companies and selected Apex to work with. "Apex was more willing to meet our terms and come up with what we felt was a better lease," says Walton. "In the lease, we try to protect the land and the landown-
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