County Creates Third Reinvestment Zone
After a public hearing Jan. 14, the Glasscock County Commissioners’ Court designated certain real property in the northeast portion of the county as Reinvestment Zone #3. The action is in conjunction with a proposed agreement with Airtricity’s Panther Creek Wind Farm, LLC. Airtricity paid the county a $1,000 application fee Jan. 14.
Airtricity was represented at the hearing by Bobby Blount, and Glasscock County by attorney H. Alan Carmichael of Wetsel & Carmichael in Sweetwater.
Prior to the reinvestment zone designation, and in accordance with state law, the court found that the zone would contribute to primary employment, and would attract major investment in the zone, which would contribute to the economic development of the county.
Blount said the 258-megawatt project would be located largely in Glasscock County, with 36-megawatts in Howard County, and a small portion in Sterling County. He said six to ten permanent workers would be hired, along with 100 – 125 temporary construction workers. He said road construction would begin in late February or early March 2008. According to Blount, local subcontractors and services will be used when possible. He said the company is working with Howard College to provide local training for the project.
Carmichael said it is important that some of the abated taxes be spent locally.
Commissioner Mark Halfmann asked how locals would know who to contact about job possibilities, and Blount said he would provide that information to Bednar and to the Glasscock County News when it is available.
At a meeting scheduled for Jan. 22, the commissioners’ court will likely grant a tax abatement to Airtricity for the project.
A map and legal description of the wind farm project are available in the county clerk’s office.