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Decatur County approves first reading to designate area for turbine power project, schedules second reading
Summary
The council gave a first reading to Resolution 2026-8 to designate land in an economic revitalization area to enable a 10-year, 100% personal property tax abatement for a project that would capture gas exhaust and generate about 10 megawatts; the measure requires a second reading for final approval.
Decatur County Council on a first reading approved a preparatory resolution (2026-8) to designate property in the Saint Paul area as part of the county’s economic revitalization area, clearing the way for a requested 10-year, 100% personal property tax abatement for a turbine project that will capture gas/exhaust and generate an estimated 10 megawatts.
The council member presiding described the project scope and compensation under the proposal: "They're going to pressurize it and they're going to turn turbines and generate 10 megawatts of electricity off of that," and said the company would pay about $82,000 a year (roughly $8,200 per megawatt), equating to approximately $820,000 over the 10-year abatement period. The motion was approved on first reading; the resolution requires a second reading before final adoption.
Don Schilling, presenting the Economic Development Commission annual report, told the council the RDC recorded roughly $3.3 million in expenses last year — including just over $2 million tied to bonds — and about $1.2 million expended in 2025 for local projects. He listed three major projects supported in the last year: Adams Volunteer Fire Department work, the repaving of Michigan Road associated with Honda, and a sports complex.
Council members also discussed a related administrative step: the board added a fifth addendum to the county’s economic development plan, already approved by the Area Planning Commission and the county commissioners; the addendum will allow the RDC to provide funds to any Decatur County or Greensburg school to support STEM programs. A public hearing on that addendum is scheduled for the council’s April 15 meeting, after which the council anticipates taking final action on the addendum.
The council characterized the turbine project as a recycling of exhaust energy and framed the abatement as part of a multiyear incentive package; members noted state tax-law changes influenced prior abatement terms and that the county and company have discussed retaining the originally negotiated graduated scale. The council took the measure as a first reading vote and did not finalize the abatement at the meeting.
Next steps: the resolution returns for a required second reading and final vote at a future council meeting.
