Business View Civil & Municipal | Volme 3, Issue 2

15 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 OHIO SOLAR INDUSTRY WELCOMES INTEL C OLUMBUS, Ohio – The recent announcement of Intel’s plan to invest in a major semiconductor manufacturing facility in Licking County is the latest clear sign that Ohio’s growing solar energy economy is providing a strong and competitive foundation for Ohio’s future. Intel has committed to 100% renewable energy supply by 2030 to power its global manufacturing operations, including its new facility planned for Licking County. This is the latest in a series of major investments Ohio has attracted from companies that include renewable energy purchase goals, such as Peloton, Nestle, First Solar, Amazon, Google, and Facebook. Additionally, Ohio was the first state to attract a mega battery factory to serve the growing electric vehicle market when the $2.3 billion GM/LG Chem battery manufacturing facility selected Lordstown as its home. Many large automotive companies, such as GM, have plans to buy 100% renewable energy located near their operations. In a new video detailing how solar energy can help the state attract investments such as Intel, Nate Strum, former GROW Licking County executive director, says (3:20 mark): “Ohio continues to be a very competitive environment for site selection opportunities, but we have to make sure that we have all of the tools in the toolbox necessary to make sure we are as competitive as possible and alternative energy— access to solar energy in particular — is going to be one of those tools going forward.” Just yesterday, the Ohio Power Siting Board approved a construction permit for the 107.7 megawatt (MW) Union Ridge Solar project located in Licking County’s Harrison Township. Additionally, the 350 MW Harvey Solar project OPENING L INES