Special Report: Wind Power
Winnebago, IA- All across the nation, wind farms are popping up. Last year, the industry was busy installing more than 8,000 mega watts of wind energy. That amount can power more than 2 million homes.
Right now, Iowa is passing California to take second place in the nation. Iowa only falls behind Texas. Minnesota is taking fourth place.
“We've heard there are going to be more turbines and my child cannot live in a wind plant,” said Julie Sandry.
For many rural landowners, the idea of more wind turbines going up is good to hear. But for Julie Sandry it's her worst nightmare.
“He can't sleep at night, he's sick,” said Sandry.
Sandry's child suffers from motion sickness. She believes it's caused by the turbines surrounding her Winnebago County home. Sandry’s hoping the developer will help her move.
“Trying to get them to buy out our home so we can move,” said Sandry.
While Sandry waits for a buyout, a Franklin County business owner is letting wind power her restaurant.
“The way the economy has been going a little bit of a boost there,” said Sandry.
In this economic downturn, Lisa Slater works hard to keep this Hampton restaurant going.
“Try to get every business I can,” said Slater.
Right now, Slater's experiencing a surge of business. She's now catering to new wind farm workers.
“We've been out there for probably about three months now,” said Slater.
In order to generate more business, Slater is starting to take food the work site.
“It's just a place for them they don't have to bring their lunch everyday and it's a benefit for both of us,” said Slater.
As the Franklin County project ushers in more workers, business booms for Slater.
“Kind of a little bit slow but as more workers started coming in we decided to start going out five days a week,” said Slater.
The Franklin County Economic Director says it's not just Slater's business that's benefiting.
“There's a lot of activity these workers contribute to the local economy that we wouldn't have otherwise,” said Karen Mitchell.
Mitchell says those workers will filter out but she adds that when the gold rush of new workers is over, the impact will continue.
“It's a major money contributor even after the construction phase,” said Mitchell.
According to Mower County Commissioner, Tim Gabrielson during construction, the wind farms bring in a surge of workers. However, the project continues to supply jobs. He insists that for every 100 mega watts, the towers need 20 skilled workers. That means Mower County has about 60 new jobs for maintenance alone.
“That are new jobs in the county that weren't there before,” said Gabrielson.
“All of those dollars are going to be recycled and hopefully in our area
still, some argue that anything fewer than one hundred jobs isn't enough to spur the economy like promised.
but others see it a different way.
“Every job is a big help,” said Gabrielson.
Gabrielson believes one of the greatest reasons to attract wind farms to the county is property tax.
“It's such a win-win. It's a win-win for the farmers, win-win for county, the townships and the school district,” said Gabrielson.
This is how it breaks down. Each wind mill is taxed $8,000 a year. The money depends on how much each turbine can produce. Right now, Mower County's take from the projects is more than $860 thousand a year in taxes. That money is broke up throughout the townships, schools and the county.
“This is almost like a stimulus for us,” said Gabrielson.
In Worth County, the Treasurer says the county's windmills are raking in more than half a million dollars a year.
“That's actually a pretty big chunk considering we bill out more than 11-million dollars and they pay half-million just that first phase,” said Jake Hanson, Treasurer.
In two years, these wind farms will bring in two million dollars a year. He says that could be good news for taxpayers.
“When those bigger businesses are paying more taxes it takes a little pressure off of the individuals county wide,” said Hanson.
When it comes to investing in more wind farms, Gabrielson says Mower County is ready. According to him, it'll only help the local economy.
“Wind is not the only answer but it's certainly a great part of it,” said Gabrielson.
While more people wait to learn if wind is the answer, Sandry is hoping it isn't, for her child's health.
“We need to know is it safe to move anywhere in Winnebago County,” said Sandry.
Some critics of corporate wind farms are pushing for more community based wind farms. They believe much of the revenue is going to international and national companies. Those companies argue that thousands of dollars paid to the county in taxes and residents. They believe that's a significant amount of money.
