Solar Developer Commits Up to $800,000 for Smith Road Improvements
Summit Ridge Energy, a solar farm developer, has committed to providing up to $800,000 for the engineering and construction of improvements along Smith Road, Manhattan Township officials announced Tuesday.
The significant financial contribution is part of a road use agreement negotiated between Highway Commissioner Jim Baltas and Township Attorney Cass Wennlund. The funds are intended to subsidize upgrades needed to accommodate the developer’s project.
According to the meeting minutes, the $800,000 commitment is not sufficient to cover the entire scope of the planned project, which involves widening Smith Road from Cedar Road to Kankakee Street. However, officials stated that the funds will “subsidize the majority of the project.”
The agreement provides a substantial boost to the township’s infrastructure efforts, leveraging private development to fund public road improvements. Details regarding the timeline for the Smith Road project and how the township will cover the remaining costs have not yet been announced.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Colorado Springs, Denver residents pay among lowest property taxes in U.S.
Illinois quick hits: Pope reacts to Pritzker bill signing
Study reveals top U.S. states for K-12 education
2025: More than 2.5 million removed, record number of violent offenders arrested
Trump to meet Zelensky in Florida Sunday
Construction Advances on New Manhattan Fire Station; Ambulance Repairs Scheduled
County Approves Engineering for Peotone Road and Safety Upgrades
U.S. Coast Guard broke records across the board in 2025
Don’t count on lower electricity prices in 2026
Lincoln-Way Board Approves $731,000 Freshman Laptop Purchase
Monee Solar Farm Projects Granted Extensions
WATCH: Report: Americans are still paying off credit debt from last Christmas
