Community
Benefits at a Glance.
At Heelstone Energy, we are committed to creating lasting value for the communities we serve. The Baroness Solar project isn’t just about renewable energy; it’s about reinvesting in people, places, and public resources.
We’ve developed a series of community-focused initiatives to ensure the area surrounding the Baroness Solar Project experiences real, tangible benefits.
Tax Revenue Benefits
Baroness will pay over $5 million in property taxes to over the lifetime of the project, supporting The Northwestern School District, Macoupin County, North Palmyra Township, and other local services like roads and EMS.
Depending on the site, solar projects are located on land that generates relatively little tax revenue and, in some cases, little revenue overall. Additionally, solar projects utilize minimal public infrastructure (water, sewer, schools, police, and first responders) relative to commercial or residential development, so the cost to the locality is typically very low. Utility-scale solar projects create local construction jobs and increase business and revenue for local services such as local suppliers, stores, restaurants, and hotels. The projects also create a small number of permanent jobs for vegetation management, along with the general options and maintenance of the facility.
Additionally, solar projects provide revenue to local landowners in the form of lease payments, enabling them to retain the economic viability of their land, as well as to ensure that it is retained as farmland (assuming the land is farmland) for generations to come. Farmers appreciate the economic stability that comes with a solar project, which can balance out the cyclical and often inconsistent revenue that comes from farming.
Direct Community Contributions
Heelstone is committed to giving back to the community. Check back soon to see where we’ve participated!
To request support for your cause, contact us at Project.Communications@HeelstoneEnergy.com