Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Silicon Ranch Corporation will invest approximately $55,000,000 in a new 68 megawatt solar project in Houston County, Georgia. In partnership with Green Power EMC, Silicon Ranch will provide the solar energy it generates to serve more than thirty Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) throughout the state.

“We are excited that Silicon Ranch continues to make significant investments in Georgia communities to power homes and businesses with low-cost, locally generated solar energy,” said Governor Kemp. “My thanks to Silicon Ranch for partnering with Georgia’s electric cooperatives to support economic development across the Peach State.”

Silicon Ranch, one of the nation’s largest independent solar power producers, has selected Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives, Inc. (NASDAQ: IEA) as the general contractor for the project. IEA is scheduled to commence construction on December 1, 2020 and plans to hire more than 300 craft workers, the majority of whom will be recruited from Houston County and the surrounding area.

“Silicon Ranch is committed to making a positive difference in the communities we serve, and we’re pleased to work with our partners at Green Power EMC and IEA to execute this vision in Houston County,” said Silicon Ranch Co-Founder and Chairman Matt Kisber, who previously served eight years as Tennessee Commissioner of Economic and Community Development. “I also want to thank Chairman Tommy Stalnaker for his leadership and the Houston County Board of Commissioners for welcoming Silicon Ranch and this project to the community. Based on our company’s experience, I can understand why Georgia remains the number one state for doing business in the United States.”

“Silicon Ranch is truly a leader in solar innovation, and we are honored that they have chosen to make such a substantial capital investment in Houston County,” said Tommy Stalnaker, chairman of the Houston County Board of Commissioners. “We look forward to a productive partnership with Silicon Ranch and hope to expand our relationship in the years to come.”

“I’m excited about Silicon Ranch Corporation’s sizeable investment in Houston County and appreciative of all the work by local leaders and our development partners to bring this project to fruition,” said Sen. Larry Walker (R – Perry). “As Houston County continues to grow, our need for low-cost, sustainable energy will increase, and this project will, no doubt, promote additional economic development in our community. I want to thank Silicon Ranch and Green Power EMC for their commitment to meeting our future energy needs.”

“Many of the world’s largest businesses are making the availability of renewable energy a key factor in their location decisions,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “The commitment by Silicon Ranch and Georgia’s EMCs underscores that we are ready to meet the business requirements of the modern economy.”

“More than 30 EMCs have supported this Project, which will produce enough clean, renewable energy to help power more than 11,000 EMC households,” said Jeff Pratt, president of Green Power EMC. “We’re proud that in addition to providing our members with reliable and affordable solar energy, our work can further support economic development in Houston County.”