Kiley Miller, president and CEO of the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corp., an economic development organization that represents Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet counties, thinks this project will have a positive impact on the region.

“We would see the impact coming in four key areas,” he said. “Certainly it will create some job opportunities both during installation and then long-term in maintenance. There’s the income opportunity as Upland Prairie pays long-term for the use of their land.

“There’s taxable evaluation, which, of course, is needed across the state of Iowa to continue the great services that the state has. Then, finally, there will could be secondary economic development opportunities,” Miller added.

Miller said auxiliary wind energy business have already contacted his organization.

“Our organization has been approached by businesses that support the wind energy industry in some way,” he said. They are interested in being in Northwest Iowa for this and other projects in the area.”

Miller also noted the lakes region is perfectly suited for continued development in the wind energy sector thanks to the presence of Iowa Lakes Community College, which has a wind energy and turbine technology program.