Construction is planned for this year on the long-awaited solar project on the west edge of Kewanee.
Kathy Albert, executive director of the Kewanee Economic Development Corp. (KEDC) told the City Council Tuesday that Sunpin Solar executed a full lease agreement for the 136-parcel just west of the Page Street crossing known as the Lininger Industrial Park.
Albert said Sunpin officials are negotiating an agreement with a purchaser of the 24-plus megawatts of electricity the solar farm will produce. Company officials plan to start construction of the solar arrays in the third or fourth quarter this year, she said.
“I reminded them that this is Illinois,” Albert said. “Third is better.”
Additional power poles have been installed at the site, and necessary substation upgrades have been completed. Albert said those developments were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Albert pointed out that the city and other taxing bodies will see significant tax benefits from the Sunpin project. She said the entire Lininger parcel is now assessed at $48,469; its valuation after Sunpin’s project is completed will be nearly $2.5 million.
“A contract for the second phase of this project is in the works,” Albert said.
Other highlights from Albert’s report:
— She has been meeting with representatives of BOSS Holdings, who anticipate expanding in Kewanee “and will be approaching the city with their development idea.”
— Black Hawk College has received a number of grants this year, some of which “will be positively impacting the Welding and Skilled Trades facility in Kewanee.”
