50% sustainable and renewable in energy production, positioning the town as a leader in sustainable energy in rural America. The town is also upgrading its water treatment plant, a project connecting Beloit to a local reservoir, and reducing water loss by 10%. “As water becomes a bigger and bigger issue, this project is crucial,” Roberson notes. This upgrade is part of a broader effort to ensure that Beloit’s infrastructure can withstand the challenges posed by climate change and other environmental factors. In addition to these projects, Beloit has a power plant that allows the town to generate electricity during an outage. This capability is a luxury and a critical component of the town’s resilience.“We can run our power plant and the whole city, and no one even knows anything bad has happened anywhere else,” Roberson explains. This level of energy independence is a significant draw for businesses considering setting up operations in Beloit. BEYOND AGRICULTURE While agriculture remains the cornerstone of Beloit’s economy, the town is diversifying its economic base to include a range of industries.“Agriculture is king, but it’s not just a guy in a tractor,” Roberson points out. The agriculture sector in Beloit has evolved significantly over the past decade, incorporating advanced technologies that require a new breed of skilled workers. This has led to the growth of technology manufacturers and other businesses that support the agricultural industry. Beloit’s economic diversification is further bolstered by its robust fiber internet infrastructure, which Cunningham Fiber, a local company, provides. “We have fantastic fiber internet in Beloit, and that’s something we can’t take for granted in our rural area,” Benedick emphasizes. The high-speed internet service is critical for attracting remote workers and technology-based businesses to the town. The town is also making strategic investments in its airport. This project is expected to drive economic growth by attracting more businesses and private aviation enthusiasts to the area. “Our airport is expanding, and we’re excited about that,” Roberson he county seat for Mitchell County. The Mitchell iful, historic limestone structures in Beloit. 72 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 09
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