FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023
az@platform-communications.com
Felch Township, Mich. - The Felch Township planning commission officially approved plans for Groveland Mine Solar on Wednesday. The planning commission’s actions follow permitting approval in Norway and Sagola townships, meaning that the full-scale project will move forward as planned.
“I want to thank Felch Township for supporting Groveland Mine Solar, which will transform an industrial brownfield site into something that the whole community can benefit from,” said Circle Power CEO Jordan Roberts. “With this final approval, our project can move forward in full as planned.”
Roberts continued, “We appreciate the questions, input, and engagement we have received from folks in Felch, Norway, and Sagola Townships and throughout Dickinson County since we began development three years ago. Ultimately, it made Groveland Mine Solar a stronger project that is responsive to the unique needs of this community.”
In July 2022, Circle Power provided a $12 million property tax guarantee to local governments and schools should the full project be completed. If tax rates increase in the future or if the project costs more to build than Circle Power’s estimates, local governments would receive more than the amounts guaranteed in the contracts. The property tax guarantee commits Groveland Mine Solar to a minimum payment stream to local entities.
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About Groveland Mine Solar: Located in Dickinson County, Mich., Groveland Mine Solar is an economic development opportunity for the region that will provide new revenue to local governments and create construction jobs. Ground-mounted solar arrays will be sited on public and private lands of the decommissioned Groveland Mine, which operated from the early 1950s until 1981 under the ownership of the Hanna Mining Company. Groveland Mine Solar has signed a letter of intent with the Upper Peninsula Building Trades Council to guarantee that the project will be constructed with union labor. The project is proudly supported by Operating Engineers 324, Laborers’ Union Local 1329, Michigan Association of Carpenters & Millwrights, IBEW Local 906, the U.P. Building Trades Council, and the Upper Peninsula Construction Council.