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.
Latest News Stories
Monee Police warn residents of phone scammers impersonating officers
National shutdown, strike planned for Friday, Jan. 30 in protest of ICE
Gori firm accused of fraud, racketeering, ‘bounties’ in asbestos litigation
WATCH: Democratic legislators introduce anti-ICE legislation
Illinois Quick Hits: Grayson gets 20 years for murder
Bill Cassidy, facing Trump-backed challenger, bets on ‘who delivers’
Trump Cabinet meeting: New Fed chair, coal saving lives, Russia and Ukraine
Paul introduces legislation to halt welfare funding for non-citizens
Food companies push back on Pennsylvania bills to ban certain food products
Pritzker, Johnson express concerns about 2028 DNC with Trump in office
Pritzker looks for rules for federal school choice scholarship program
Ex-deputy sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey