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 Finance Logo

Finance Committee: Scholarship Tax Credit Discussion Halts

Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: A heated procedural debate erupted at the Will County Board Finance Committee meeting when a member attempted to...
norovirus

Will County Health Department Reports Rise in Respiratory Illnesses, Updates on Facility Issues

Will County Board Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | January 7, 2026 Article Summary: At the January 7, 2026, meeting, Executive Director Elizabeth Bilotta reported a spike in respiratory...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Public Works Committee Delays Vote on State Police License Plate Cameras Amid Privacy Concerns

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Public Works & Transportation Committee voted to postpone a decision on an...
Village of Manhattan Logo Graphic

Village Staff Updates Board on Housing Development, Infrastructure Projects, and Police Activity

Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: Village staff and officials provided updates on several key local projects during Tuesday's meeting, including a new...
Manhattan Township

Township Reviews Tax Levies; Bridge Construction Costs Rise

Manhattan Township Board Meeting | November 11, 2025 Article Summary: The Manhattan Township Board reviewed tentative tax levies for the upcoming year, with the Road District facing increased costs due...
Gilbert Bernal Sr

Flint Man Charged with 1988 Murder of Wife Joan Bernal Following Cold Case Breakthrough

Article Summary: Gilbert Bernal Sr., 82, appeared in Will County court facing first-degree murder charges connected to the 1988 disappearance of his wife, Joan Bernal, following a sealed indictment returned...
Village of Manhattan Logo Graphic

Manhattan Board Approves Purchase of New Plow Truck Chassis Following Engine Failure

Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees Meeting | January 6, 2026 Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board unanimously approved the purchase of a new 2027 International truck chassis to replace...
Manhattan Township

Residents Raise Concerns During Earth Rise Solar Energy Presentation

Manhattan Township Board Meeting | November 11, 2025 Article Summary: A representative from Earth Rise Solar Energy presented a preliminary plan for a new solar development in Manhattan Township, sparking...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Park District Board for Nov. 2025

Manhattan Park District Board Meeting | Nov. 2025 The Manhattan Park District Board of Commissioners met on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at the Hansen Community Center to address financial levies,...
Michael Farrell

Homer Glen Man Charged with Reckless Discharge, Battery to Deputy Following Standoff

Article Summary: Michael Farrell, 52, was arrested after firing over a dozen shots from his home, triggering a SWAT response and a shelter-in-place order for neighbors on December 28. Deputies...
Manhattan Park District Graphic

Park Board Standardizes Job Descriptions for 2026

Manhattan Park District Board Meeting | Nov. 2025 Article Summary: The Board of Commissioners approved a comprehensive slate of updated job descriptions for district leadership and staff. The new descriptions,...
Islamic civil rights group says nothing about civil unrest in Iran

Islamic civil rights group says nothing about civil unrest in Iran

By Johnny EdwardsThe Center Square America’s largest Muslim advocacy group speaks out regularly about Israel’s alleged abuses in Gaza. But it has yet to say anything about ongoing human rights...
Ohio debate over potential child care facility fraud heats up

Ohio debate over potential child care facility fraud heats up

By J.D. DavidsonThe Center Square The debate over taxpayer-funded child care facilities across Ohio has intensified since State Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, called for an investigation earlier this week....
As Illinois ends grocery tax locals can replace, food inflation debate continues

As Illinois ends grocery tax locals can replace, food inflation debate continues

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman’s warning that Americans are paying more for groceries is drawing pushback from economists...
North Carolina NYE terror attack foiled by FBI, several police departments

North Carolina NYE terror attack foiled by FBI, several police departments

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The FBI and several police departments foiled another New Year’s Eve terror plot, this time in North Carolina, officials announced on Friday. The FBI apprehended...