FORSYTH, Ga. — A new clean energy plant is expected to help power the economy in Monroe County along with homes and business. Oglethorpe Power invested $2 billion for the plant's development.
Keith Harbuck was born and raised in Monroe County and says the Georgia Power unit being shut down a few years ago sent property taxes up. Now, this new power plant should have the opposite effect.
"This is huge," Harbuck said. "This is probably the biggest thing since Georgia Power came here several years ago."
The plant is slotted to be built on Rumble Road at the Smarr Energy Facility. The plant is expected to bring in more tax money for the county.
County Commissioner Eddie Rowland grew up in Smarr, and says it's a much-needed boost for the tax base.
"We have been needing something since they shut one of the units down over at Georgia Power," Rowland said. "Everybody is worried about their taxes as always, so we know it's going to help. It's going to be a few years before it kicks in but it's going to be great for the county."
Beyond simply tax money, the plant will also create more jobs for people in the county, Rowland says.
“They’re going to employ 1,200 employees to actually build the plant," he said. "When the plant is built the plant will be run by 25 employees."
He says this new facility isn't just about cleaner energy.
“The good thing for Monroe County is they have 1,200 acres for the site," Rowland said. "They are going to use about 60 acres roughly in the center of the 1,200 acres, so it will have very little environmental impact - if any - to the community."
Oglethorpe says the project should reach commercial operation by 2029.
Harbuck says he misses his small community but loves seeing change.
“It's growing and that's inevitable,” he said.