Woodberry Pt 1

The Iroquois County Board held a public hearing on October 28, 2026, regarding Scout Clean Energy’s proposed Woodberry Solar project, a utility-scale solar development near Gilman and Danforth. The applicant described projected community benefits, including an estimated $28–$32.2 million in property taxes over the project’s life, $38.8 million in local construction impacts, more than 160 peak construction jobs, and up to 12 long-term operations positions. Construction could begin in fall 2027. The applicant also outlined four requested variances to the county’s solar ordinance: extending the project term from 30 to 40 years, deferring the detailed farmland drainage plan until the building-permit stage, modifying notification requirements for a community meeting held before the revised ordinance, and changing ownership-transfer notice from 30 days in advance to within 10 business days after transfer.

Testimony covered drain-tile mapping and repair obligations, vegetation and screening plans, noise, and emergency response. The applicant agreed to proposed conditions including county review of the drainage study before building permits, limits on construction work such as pile driving, and reasonable funding for local emergency-service training or equipment needs. The hearing excerpt ends at a recess; no vote or permit decision is recorded. No county procurement, contract award, or purchasing action was identified.