Wind power could be moneymaker for farmers on The Ridge

Moving ahead with the installation of two large test wind turbines in the Fruit Ridge area, one Midwest wind energy company and possibly hundreds of West Michigan farmers are banking on an abundance of wind to bring renewable energy production and a promising economic boost to the region.

According to excerpts from the story:

SPARTA TOWNSHIP — Wind energy may provide a way for growers to improve their bottomline and produce clean energy in their own backyards.

Two wind energy companies are interested in installing windmills on farms in the Ridge, a prime fruit growing area that includes Conklin, Casnovia, Kent City, Sparta and Grand Rapids. Representatives from Iberdrola Inc. and Traverse City-based Heritage Sustainable Energy LLC have approached growers in the last year with the intent of offering contracts for use of their land for the installation of wind turbines and construction of access roads.

Ridge Economic Agriculture Partners (REAP) President Kirk Briggs said REAP held a meeting on the topic in July and 100 growers showed up.

Read the complete story here.