About the Project
The Freeborn Wind Farm is an opportunity to boost the local economies of Freeborn and Worth Counties and create jobs, all while generating clean, American-made energy to meet Minnesota's growing electricity demand.
The proposed project is located south of Interstate 90 between the communities of Albert Lea and Austin in Freeborn County, MN and near the community of Northwood in Worth County, IA.
200
megawatts
100
turbines
70,000
homes powered annually
Cash Crop
Wind power is the new cash crop for farmers. Lease payments provide a steady stream of income when cattle and commodity markets fluctuate.
“I could not afford my current living situation without the Invenergy [wind lease] payments. The payments are a blessing.”
Ardith Gillham
Landowner, Spring Canyon Energy Center
Jobs
At peak construction, Freeborn Wind Farm is expected to employ as many as 200 people. After construction, the project will employ approximately 10 additional full-time operations and maintenance (O&M) staff.
“[Locals] want the job because they’ve lived there all their lives...[It] gave me the opportunity to stay here and make a good living.”
Clyde Mustain
O&M Manager, Spring Canyon Energy Center
Local Economic Impact
Freeborn Wind Farm will inject more than $3.5M annually in landowner payments, property tax payments, local spending and salaries. Over the life of the project more than $142M will be spent in the counties.
“The Invenergy project is helping the tax payers by helping to pay the school debt down...so it gives tax reliefs to all of the tax payers in these school districts that the wind turbine project is in.”
Darryl Fowler
Breckenridge Township Board Member