Elected officials approve two solar farms with blessing of local labor unions

BLOOMINGTON (25 News Now) - The McLean County Board on Thursday signed off on construction of two solar farms after receiving assurances that the developers will hire local workers.

The board voted unanimously after a leader of the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers said unions had reached an agreement with Cypress Creek Renewables.

The board delayed action last month because union leaders said the company was reluctant to hire local employees.

Board members granted a special use permit for an estimated $7 million solar farm in Dale Township, southwest of Bloomington, about a half-mile from Fox Creek Elementary School.

The company intends to build 12 foot high solar panels that would produce power for about 400 homes.

The board renewed the special use permit for solar panels at another site just southwest of the intersection of Business Highway 51 and Margaret Street, near I-74 in Bloomington Township.

The solar farm there hasn’t been built yet even though Cypress Creek was granted a special use in 2020. That permit expires next month, so the company had to apply again for government approval.