Wind farm gives economic boom

This new wind farm will bring clean energy to thousands of homes and boost economic development in White County.

While construction began in March, a ceremony was held in Chalmers, where the project begins.

Horizon Wind Energy is set to develop the Meadow Lake Wind Farm. Project Manager Martin Culik said there are five phases to the wind farm. 

"We are putting up 121 wind turbines. These are Vestas brand wind turbines and we are working with probably 150 land owners here in phase one," said Culik.

Culik said the turbines have the capacity of 200 megawatts, enough to power 60,000 homes with clean energy a year. By the end of the project, he said it will reach 1,000 MW, powering 250,000 homes.  Culik said Horizon will sell the power to Indiana Utilities.  The project brings economic benefits as well with 400 temporary workers and at least 20 permanent, full-time jobs.

"We have a lot of trucking companies right now. We have a lot of concrete workers, steel workers, machine operators, they're all local. Then some of our specialty, the sub station, electrical, high voltage and the tower erection are from out of the area," said Culik.

American Wind Energy Association CEO Denise Bode said this local wind project puts the state in a good position for business.

"These projects coming means for Indiana that you're now know as the fastest growing wind state in the country," Bode said.

Phase one of the wind farm will begin here at Chalmers resident Jerry Thompson's farm. He said while he's excited to be on the cutting edge of modern technology, he's also sad to see the Thompson farm go.

"Even though I know it's the thing to do, it's something that we'll never see again is the clear view. I can see for three miles and even though they're not wide, but it will be something new to look at," said Thompson.

A spokesperson from Horizon Wind Energy said the total cost of the project is more than $400 million.

Phase one of the wind farm is set to be complete in October.

Phase two will start in the fall.

On Friday, there will be another ground breaking for a wind farm in Benton County.

It will generate 106 megawatts of wind power, which is about half of the White County project.