Future development at the Crawfordsville Solar Park along Memorial Drive received a boost Monday at the Montgomery County Commissioners’ meeting.
After obtaining a new bid of $9,500 per acre from the Indiana Municipal Power Agency, commissioners agreed to sell another 20 acres just north of the existing solar park.
Commissioners Phil Bane and Jim Fulwider spoke in favor of selling the land before the vote was actually taken.
“We have plenty of properties that are sitting around empty,” Bane said. “I doubt if we could develop this property in question soon. I also like the idea of putting the property on the tax rolls.”
Fulwider agreed with Bane.
“I think it is a good opportunity to get the land on the tax rolls,” Fulwider said. “We know we won’t have issues with the neighboring property owners, and it is a great fit for the homeowners in Pleasant Meadows.”
IMPA has not indicated when additional solar panels would be installed on the additional acreage.
With a vote of 3-0 in favor of selling the acreage, commissioners instructed county attorney Dan Taylor to start the process of selling the property to IMPA.
After the selling the 20 acres, there will be 86 acres remaining to be rented out as farmland.
IMPA does not pay property taxes, however, there is an agreement with the energy provider to make payments in lieu of taxes with the amount being set by the Indiana State Board of Accounts.