NAHUNTA — Brantley County Commissioners were asked about the solar farm project during its Tuesday work session.
Resident Tim Cupp said he had not heard much lately about the proposed BrightNight solar farm project north of Hwy. 32 between Hortense and Browntown.
“I know there was a lot of people in the county who are not for it,” said Cupp. “I’ve talked to a lot of people and about 60-70 percent of them didn’t know nothing about it. When they did, they were all for it. And that was back when it was $815,000 a year tax revenue.
“I’ve talked with officials at BrightNight and they are saying it could be between $4-$6 million a year tax revenue. The main thing though is to see if it’s still on your own mind or what’s going on with it.”
Cupp asked the commissioners if they were scared of getting in another lawsuit perhaps referencing the one with Brantley County Limited Partners, LLC and the landfill.
“It don’t matter what you do in business, you might have the opportunity to get in a lawsuit,” said Cupp. “But, I don’t think that’s the reason to just let it slide. Out of all the people I have talked to there’s about 10% of them who just don’t.
“There’s about 20-25% of the people I talked with who thought it was the county paying for everything and we’re not. When they found out the county taxpayers were not having to pay for it they were all for it.”
Long-time Commissioner Brian Hendrix responded he had been on all the meetings and heard nothing about $4 or $5 million.
“They were offering $700,000 that we have to split (54%-46%) with the school system,” said Hendrix. “Nothing has been firm ... it’s been a game back-andforth on what they want and a 20-year abatement. There is nothing in writing. “
Cupp said BrightNight Vice President of Development Greg Vander Kamp told him the company would start paying taxes from Day 1.
“Greg said the taxes would be based on how much money they spend to build,” said Cupp. “That figures out to $4-$4.5 million. You tax whatever they spend to build. Even their engineers said it was going to be $4 million or better, and could possibly reach $6 million.”
Cupp added both Wayne County and Long County gave abatements.
“It’s not about the number of jobs its bringing,” said Cupp. “There’s 10-12 jobs at the pellet plant and the solar field will have seven or eight. It’s not about bringing in jobs, but the tax revenue.
“That’s an awful lot of tax revenue you’re turning your back. That’s several millions of dollars a year in tax revenue.” County Manager Joey Cason said the board has been directed by the country attorney not to say anything because of the negotiations that are going on.
“Right now, we’re following the guidelines of our attorney,” said Cason. “That’s what’s going on right now.”
