In September, 2020, the Iron Mountain Daily News reported on Circle Power Renewables' contract with the Michigan DNR:
“We look forward to working with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on the 7 Mile Pit and Groveland Mine projects,” said Jordan Roberts, managing partner at Circle Power. “This is an important opportunity to provide low-cost power to Michigan residents while supporting the state’s renewable energy goals.”
An installed project could provide $50,000 to $100,000 per year in lease payments to the DNR in addition to generating state and local revenue through property taxes, Roberts added.
Both sites are located on land used by industry and left in a degraded condition. Building large-scale solar arrays on these properties is one means of revitalizing these underused places, [Michigan DNR Director] Eichinger said.
Criteria for establishing these sites included open lands with minimal forest cover, no conflicts with rare, threatened and endangered species or sensitive ecosystems, and consistent with local zoning plans and ordinances..