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

Meta to ask appeals court to end biometrics suit over Messenger filters

Meta to ask appeals court to end biometrics suit over Messenger filters

By Scott Holland | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Southern Illinois federal judge will allow Meta to ask a federal appeals panel if its Facebook Messenger program can be subject...
Paxton pushes Cornyn out of longtime U.S. Senate seat

Paxton pushes Cornyn out of longtime U.S. Senate seat

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday ousted four-term incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn during a night of major upsets and a race that got...
Costco says no refunds owed to customers for tariff price hikes

Costco says no refunds owed to customers for tariff price hikes

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square CHICAGO — Warehouse club retail giant Costco says it doesn't owe its customers any refunds for higher prices they paid when Costco...
Dems decide against joining fraud roundtable at White House

Dems decide against joining fraud roundtable at White House

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Democratic attorneys general decided against attending a Tuesday roundtable at the White House to discuss fraud in welfare, including Medicaid. Speaking to reporters during a...
VA launches MDMA trial years in the making for veterans

VA launches MDMA trial years in the making for veterans

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on Tuesday launched a clinical trial testing MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder,...
AI safety regulations advance in Springfield, despite industry concern

AI safety regulations advance in Springfield, despite industry concern

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A push to regulate artificial intelligence products in Illinois has taken a major step toward becoming law....
EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Border Patrol chief retires after historic drop in illegal border crossings

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Border Patrol chief retires after historic drop in illegal border crossings

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Mike Banks, who was the first U.S. Border Patrol chief during President Donald Trump’s second term, has reentered retirement after helping bring illegal border crossings...
White House urges state AGs to target, punish Medicaid fraudsters

White House urges state AGs to target, punish Medicaid fraudsters

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square White House officials urged a group of state attorneys general to partner with the Trump administration to combat fraud in welfare programs and hold fraudsters...
NASA unveils $1B moon base push amid cost questions

NASA unveils $1B moon base push amid cost questions

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square NASA unveiled nearly $1 billion in new moon base contracts Tuesday as its top official called for less reliance on taxpayer funding and a faster...
Drug-discount program likely to expand in Illinois, despite lax oversight

Drug-discount program likely to expand in Illinois, despite lax oversight

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An initiative to expand a federal program that provides drug discounts to hospitals and clinics in Illinois...
Analyst warns Bears megaproject bill could raise taxes

Analyst warns Bears megaproject bill could raise taxes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A tax policy analyst says he is glad the Cook County Treasurer’s Office issued a report on...
Chicago proposes funding tax rebates with salaries from vacant city jobs

Chicago proposes funding tax rebates with salaries from vacant city jobs

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Five Chicago aldermen have proposed new property tax rebates to be funded by salaries for vacant city...
Ceasefire remains in effect as U.S., Iran exchange fire

Ceasefire remains in effect as U.S., Iran exchange fire

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran remains in effect despite strikes against the Islamic Republic and the country’s supreme leader renewing threats against the...
Federal judges temporarily block Alabama redistricting map

Federal judges temporarily block Alabama redistricting map

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A panel of federal district court judges temporarily blocked Alabama's plan to enact its 2023 congressional map for upcoming elections. The Alabama legislature moved to...
Build America 250 Act would help Uber, Lyft with lawsuits

Build America 250 Act would help Uber, Lyft with lawsuits

By Jay Brown | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A federal law that preempts lawsuits against rental car companies based on the negligence of the drivers may be extended to ride-share...