Two commercial solar projects in the Ridge Farm area are advancing as a result of action by the Vermilion County Board Tuesday evening (June 10, 2025). Bill Pickett has the story….
Audio PlayerThe Board approved a decommissioning agreement and building permit for one project and road use and a decommissioning agreement for the other.
County Board Chairman Steve Miller says the agreements protect the community in the process of developers putting in the solar farms….
Audio Player{AUDIO: “And we want to be sure that neighboring landowners are not adversely affected with the road use agreements. We want to be sure that if something happens financially to these companies, that the communities will not suffer a financial loss as the result of the failure of any of these.”}
Both projects are to be located west of Ridge Farm.
Miller adds the county has also received a wind application from Invenergy for a project in the East Lynn, Rankin, and Hoopeston area. Board members were told that application needs to be amended, and once that is completed it will be reviewed by the county’s Wind and Solar Committee. A public hearing will also be scheduled later for that project.
Also during their meeting, Vermilion County Board members welcomed Brad Watson as a new member representing District 5. And the Board gave out-going Vermilion County Clerk Cathy Jenkins a standing ovation along with a plaque and flowers. Jenkins is retiring effective June 30th. Her chief deputy – Robyn Heffern – will be sworn-in as the new County Clerk at 8:30 a.m. on July 1st.
{Photo at top shows County Board Vice-Chairman Tim McFadden on left, Board Chairman Steve Miller in center, and Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacquelyn Lacy.}
