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Solar Farm Planned For Lamar County

A new solar power farm could be coming to Lamar County. Commissioners approved an incentive package for the project at a Feb. 27 meeting.

A company called Chisum Solar intends to build facility estimated to cost $12.1 million on a 60-acre property south of Blossom, near FM 196. The incentive package includes a partial tax abatement lasting five years.

Cypress Creek Renewables, the parent company of Chisum Solar, estimates that the facility would employ about 80 full-time staff during construction, with about $2.5 million spent locally during the process.

The Prairiland Independent School District could benefit from a tax revenue increase as a result of the solar fam being in its district. The Paris News reported that iIf appraisals come in as projected, Chisum Solar would be the second largest tax paying entity in the Prairiland district, second to Midcontinent Express pipeline, according to Superintendent Jeff Ballard.

The paris News also reported that power from the solar farm, estimated as enough to serve about 1,500 houses, would be delivered to an Oncor substation about a mile north of the property. With final county approval, Wilson said the farm should be operational by the end of the year.

Mark Haslett has served at KETR since 2013. Since then, the station's news operation has enjoyed an increase in listener engagement and audience metrics, as well recognition in the Texas AP Broadcasters awards.