# Woodberry Pt  1

The Iroquois County Board held a public hearing on October 28, 2026, regarding Scout Clean Energy’s proposed Woodberry/Woodbury Solar project, a utility-scale solar development near Gilman and Danforth. The applicant described an estimated 1,218-acre project area, connection to the Gilman substation, and expected power generation for 30,000–40,000 homes. Applicant representatives estimated substantial local benefits, including $32.2 million in property taxes over 35 years and $38.8 million in local construction impacts; another presentation cited property-tax revenue exceeding $28 million. The project would use union labor, with peak construction staffing estimated at more than 160 workers.

The applicant requested four variances from the county’s revised solar ordinance: extending the project term from 30 to 40 years after building-permit issuance; submitting the detailed farmland drainage plan at the building-permit stage; waiving specified notice requirements for a community meeting held before the ordinance revision; and allowing ownership-transfer notice within 10 business days after a transfer rather than 30 days beforehand. Discussion covered drain-tile mapping and repair, vegetative screening, construction noise, and emergency-response planning. The applicant agreed to proposed conditions that include county review of the drainage study before a building permit and cooperation with local emergency agencies on reasonably necessary training or equipment. No vote or award was recorded in this transcript; the hearing was recessed before public questions.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 28, 2026

### Sources
- [Woodberry Pt  1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMgfxTGpIQA) - Iroquois County Board