Iberdrola provides funding initiatives

Van Wert independent/Iberdrola information

The Van Wert and Paulding County communities are kicking off the new year with new funding initiatives that will help restore local landmarks, as well as offer much needed scholarships to deserving youth in the area. The counties are able to jumpstart these civic-oriented projects thanks to donations from Iberdrola Renewables, developer of the new Dog Creek and Prairie Creek Wind Farms and owner of the 304 megawatt Blue Creek Wind Farm now under construction.

Historic Preservation

The Van Wert County Historical Society received a donation of $10,000 from Iberdrola Renewables, which is being used in part to replace the shake shingles on the historic Clark Mansion. Also known as the House of Seven Oaks, the Clark Mansion is used as a museum for the entire community to enjoy.

“Clark Mansion is a beautiful and beloved building in Van Wert,” said Dan Litchfield, business developer for Iberdrola Renewables. “We’re proud to be a part of the community and its efforts to restore such a treasured piece of local history.”

Iberdrola Renewables also donated $5,000 to John Paulding Historical Society in Paulding County, which will use the funds to install historic markers near ghost towns near the Blue Creek project area.

“The Van Wert County Historical Society certainly appreciates the interest that Dan and Iberdrola Renewables have taken in preserving the history of Van Wert County,” said Society past president Joe Steffan. “Several years ago the trustees restored a 19th-century windmill and erected it on the west side of our Red Barn. The inventive American farmer used the wind to supply energy to pump the water for his livestock and family.

“Windmills dotted the landscape throughout Van Wert County but slowly disappeared,” Steffan added. “In the 21st century, wind is being used again to supply energy, and windmills will be reappearing in the county. If one ever doubts the genius of the American farmer, he or she should visit the Red Barn at the museum.”

Scholarship Fund for Van Wert County Foundation

In an exciting partnership, The Van Wert County Foundation has established the Iberdrola Renewables Scholarship Fund. With a donation of $30,000 from Iberdrola Renewables, the scholarships are designed to support local students who choose to study renewable energy and attend a school within the University System of Ohio. Residents of every township where Iberdrola Renewables is currently building (Blue Creek) or developing (Dog Creek and Prairie Creek) are eligible. Students interested in the Iberdrola Renewables Scholarship Fund should contact The Van Wert County Foundation for more information.

In addition to these initiatives, Iberdrola Renewables is thrilled to be supporting terrific local organizations such as the Van Wert Peony Pageant, Paulding Baseball, Van Wert 9-1-1 operations, Van Wert Junior Achievement, and the Van Wert County Junior Fair Board.

Meanwhile, construction for Blue Creek Wind Power Project, which spans townships in both Van Wert and Paulding Counties, is ahead of schedule. When complete, the wind farm will provide 304 MW of clean, homegrown energy to power approximately 76,000 homes annually.

Expected to be completed within the year, the Blue Creek Wind Power Project also brings approximately $1.1 million in annual lease payments to local landowners, 15-20 new permanent jobs, over 300 construction jobs, and local purchase of some supplies and construction materials. In fact, many of the subcontractors and suppliers currently constructing the wind farm are from Ohio, including:

• Continental Secret Service of Toledo – Project site security
• Deitering Landscaping Insurance of Leipsic – Erosion control and seeding
• Gattshall Excavating and Trucking of Van Wert – Onsite equipment and material trucking
• Hite Concrete Pumping of Neapolis – Concrete conveying for foundation construction
• J&B Steel Erectors of Hamilton – Rebar Installation for foundation
• Jones Farm Drainage of Van Wert – Drain tile installation and repair
• Professional Service Industries of Lima – Construction materials testing
• Sekel Management Group of Van Wert – Drain tile installation and repair
• Stoneco of Convoy – Aggregate supply for roads, WTG sites, stream crossing, and ready mix
• The Shelly Company of Findlay – Bituminous paving for county/township road improvement and repair
• True Vine Tree Trimming of Grover Hill – Clearing and grubbing
• Wortman Bros. LLC of Van Wert – O&M building contractor
• All Purpose Contracting of Delphos – Site prep subcontractor
• Mobile Mini Inc. of Cincinnati – Construction office trailer rental
• Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative Inc. of Paulding – Temporary construction power
• Jerandan Portable Toilets of Van Wert – Equipment rentals
• Kirby Risk of Lima – Local electrical supplier
• Fastenal of Van Wert – Hardware material

About Iberdrola Renewables

Iberdrola Renewables Inc. is headquartered in Portland, Ore., with more than 850 employees. It is part of the Iberdrola Renovables global group, the world’s leading provider of wind power with more than 11,000 MW of renewable energy installed around the world, and more than 4,300 MW of that wind power located in the U.S. www.iberdrolarenewables.us.