Committee approves local operating contract with Foundry Ridge Energy Center LLC to protect Darien roads during construction

The executive committee approved a local operating contract between Walworth County, the town of Darien and Foundry Ridge Energy Center LLC designed to protect county roads during construction and commercial operations. County staff said the agreement is similar in scope to prior contracts with other renewable projects and is intended to ensure the company repairs or compensates for any road damage.

A company representative told the committee the contract simply "protects the county and the roads" throughout construction and operations and provides a compensation mechanism if damage occurs. Committee members asked about related development activity in the area; the representative said this project is limited to power generation and not a data center.

The committee approved the contract on a voice vote. Staff said the agreement mirrors previous local operating contracts and is the product of several months of negotiation between county staff, the town and project representatives.

Next steps: staff will finalize the contract and oversee performance assurances during construction.