Lowndes County Commission approves tax abatement for proposed solar farm

At a meeting on Aug. 28 the Lowndes County Commission voted to pass a tax abatement to establish a proposed solar farm in the county. 

According to the Lowndes Signal a company that did not want to be named asked for a 20 year abatement to bring about an 80 megawatt farm on 800 acres of land. 

Lowndes County Economic Development Commission President Thomas Ellis spoke at the meeting and said that the project would cost an estimated $140 million but would bring in revenue that could be used to fund local schools. 

However, the commission did not agree with the terms of the company's proposal and so voted to pass a counter proposal that would provide for a ten year tax abatement instead of 20. 

Additionally, the company would be required to establish a $500,000 escrow in case roads are damaged if construction takes place. 

District 1 Commissioner Robert Harris said that the county did not have a tax base for a 20 year abatement and that the project would only create a few jobs. 

The commission did not express much hope for the counter proposal to be accepted. The company has so far not provided them with an answer of acceptance or rejection.