FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
az@platform-communications.com
Felch Township, Mich. – Circle Power’s Property Tax Guarantee and decommissioning agreements have received approval from Felch, Norway, and Sagola Townships, the future home of Groveland Mine Solar. All three local governments have agreed to accept a plan that would give a guaranteed minimum of $12 million to local governments – including the townships, Dickinson County, and local schools. The townships also approved an agreement to ensure that the facility will be removed at the end of its useful life.
“Circle Power is following through on our commitment to be good neighbors in Dickinson County,” said Jordan Roberts, CEO of Circle Power. “We fundamentally believe that communities should benefit from renewable energy projects like Groveland Mine Solar in a big way. I want to thank all of our partners at the local and county level for working with us to make this a reality.”
“The property tax guarantee is not only refreshing but sensible as it is designed to offer stable and predictable revenue streams to these bodies, allowing them to strategically and predictably invest in essential equipment, infrastructure, and savings,” said Marty Fittante, CEO of Invest U.P. “This step goes beyond the norm today and offers validation to Circle Power’s dedication to their partner communities.”
“Groveland Mine Solar will contribute a minimum of $12 million in new tax revenues to Felch, Norway and Sagola townships, Dickinson County, area schools, and additional public entities,” said Lois Ellis, Executive Director of the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance. “Circle Power Renewables has offered property tax guarantees, a novel approach, to the three townships. The guarantees provide a transparent, predictable, multi-year view of future tax revenue with a defined and guaranteed minimum tax amount.”
Once constructed, Groveland Mine Solar will be operational for at least 30 years. The decommissioning agreement with the townships ensures the solar facility is removed at the end of the project’s life. A qualified, third-party expert estimated the cost of this work and the funds required for decommissioning will be fully bonded and available once the project is no longer in use. The project is contractually required to update the estimate every five years to ensure that when it is time to decommission the facility, the total funding necessary is available to complete the work.
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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.