Manhattan Township

Solar Developer Commits Up to $800,000 for Smith Road Improvements

February 11, 2025/Comments Off on Solar Developer Commits Up to $800,000 for Smith Road Improvements
Spread the love

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.

Latest News Stories

Will County Board Graphic.02

Committee Advances Nearly $212,000 in Road and Facility Contracts for Jackson Township and Monee

Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee approved two infrastructure contracts totaling over $212,000 for...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Will County Committee Hits Brakes on License Plate Reader Agreements Awaiting Privacy Policy Review

Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee delayed votes on five intergovernmental agreements for Automated...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee for May 5, 2026

Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 The Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee focused heavily on long-term infrastructure planning during its...
Pittsburgh nurses lead charge for paid leave, for everyone

Pittsburgh nurses lead charge for paid leave, for everyone

By Christen SmithThe Center Square Nurses across southwestern Pennsylvania see a simple answer to record-breaking staffing shortages and worsening healthcare outcomes for mothers and babies: paid family leave, not just...
Existing-home sales edge up in April as affordability improves

Existing-home sales edge up in April as affordability improves

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Existing-home sales rose 0.2% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.02 million, rebounding after a 3.6% drop in March, according to the...
Accused correspondents' dinner shooter pleads not guilty to all charges

Accused correspondents’ dinner shooter pleads not guilty to all charges

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The accused White House Correspondents' Association Dinner shooter pleaded not guilty in federal court on Monday to all charges, including an attempt to assassinate President...
Illinois Quick Hits: Diesel passes $6; unleaded price drops

Illinois Quick Hits: Diesel passes $6; unleaded price drops

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The average price for a gallon of diesel fuel in Illinois has gone over the $6 mark...
U.S. Senate panel to examine fertilizer costs, food prices

U.S. Senate panel to examine fertilizer costs, food prices

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on Tuesday afternoon looking at disruptions in the fertilizer industry and the impact rising costs are...
Will County P&Z Logo Planning Zoning

Green Garden Solar Project Cleared to Implement Higher “Agrivoltaic” Standards

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved four variances on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, to facilitate...

Everyday Economics: Stable but weak under the surface

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The April jobs report looked fine. Payrolls rose, unemployment held at 4.3%, hours ticked up. Nothing broke. But look one layer down and the picture...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Committee: Facilities Department Reports $92,000 in Energy Savings, Completes Veterans Assistance Commission Buildout

Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryAssistant Director of Facilities Ken Rogalski reported significant energy savings and the completion of key county...
Lincoln Way West Warriors Baseball

Lemont Pulls Away from Lincoln-Way West in 10-3 Non-Conference Defeat

The Lincoln-Way West varsity baseball team traveled to Lemont on Saturday for a non-conference matchup, ultimately dropping the contest 10-3 despite a mid-game offensive rally. Lemont jumped out to an...
Nebraska voters to elect party representatives

Nebraska voters to elect party representatives

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Nebraska will head to the polls on Tuesday to nominate party representatives for U.S. Senate, U.S. House and the state legislature. Prominent incumbents...
U.S. farmers struggling with high price of fuel, fertilizer as bankruptcies rise

U.S. farmers struggling with high price of fuel, fertilizer as bankruptcies rise

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As Congress continues working on the long-overdue federal farm bill, American farmers entering planting season are facing a grim financial landscape. Due to the U.S.-Iran...
Trump, Xi meeting to be packed with slew of hot topics

Trump, Xi meeting to be packed with slew of hot topics

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After postponing a scheduled trip to China from March to May due to the U.S. strikes on Iran, President Donald Trump is set to visit...