POLK COUNTY, Wisconsin – The 100-megawatt Apple River Solar Project in rural Polk County, slated for operation later this year, is distinguishing itself through a significant commitment to local community investment and workforce development. Developed by Geronimo Power, formerly National Grid Renewables, this utility-scale solar facility is projected to power approximately 26,000 homes and offset nearly 130,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to removing about 31,000 cars from the road each year.

Beyond its environmental and energy generation metrics, the project is set to deliver substantial economic benefits directly to the local community. Jeff Ringblom, Chief Development Officer for Geronimo Power, emphasized the company's "farmer friendly" ethos, which extends to all community stakeholders. This commitment includes a $500,000 monetary donation distributed over the first 20 years of operation to the Amery and Clayton school districts, both serving rural areas within the state. Over the same two-decade period, the project is estimated to generate approximately $36 million in total economic activity, including an estimated $10 million in new tax revenue for the region.

Construction of the facility is being led by The Boldt Company, a Wisconsin-based union contractor. Mark Osten, Vice President of Energy Project and Business Development for Boldt, highlighted the project's role in addressing the national shortage of skilled trades. Boldt has actively recruited about 40 apprentices for the project, with 20 specializing in carpentry. Osten noted the company’s long-standing practice of sponsoring apprentices, even at the high school level, to expose them to vital trade work. This initiative not only supports the current project but also cultivates a future workforce for the burgeoning renewable energy sector.

The Apple River Solar Project has created approximately 150 construction jobs, marking a significant milestone as the first utility-scale solar project in Wisconsin to be built by a Wisconsin-based union contractor. Osten underscored a personal mission to empower local contractors, stating, "Our position is, 'Well, why aren't Wisconsin contractors building these things?'" This approach aims to keep project benefits within the state. Upon completion, the solar farm will supply clean electricity to Xcel Energy, serving its customer base across the Upper Midwest. The project exemplifies a holistic development model that prioritizes local economic empowerment and skilled labor alongside clean energy generation.