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MANSFIELD, Ohio — A large piece of land that’s sat vacant for decades will soon generate energy for a portion of north central Ohio.
The city of Mansfield has reached an agreement to build a solar farm that will be installed on top of an abandoned landfill. 
Since 1990, the landfill has not been used, over 150 acres of land that will eventually turn into renewable energy for surrounding businesses. This new development will produce up to 35 megawatts of energy. 
“New green power generated will ideally be used here in the industrial park,” said Barrett Thomas, an economic developer in Mansfield. “They are solar panels on concrete ballast. It’s a ballast system literally sitting on top of the grass. No poles, no punctures into the land that is the cap holding the landfill in place.”
The city is partnering with CEP Renewables to bring the project to life. Once the solar farm is complete, CEP plans to take on some responsibilities of the land, lightening the load on some expenses.
“Once that solar installation goes in, the solar company is now responsible for maintaining the land,” Thomas said. “It takes a lot of expenses away from the Solid Waste Authority. It generates new power, so there will be a fee that goes to the county. Richland County would benefit from that new fee, and the city owns the land, so the city would obtain the lease payment for the land.”
This project is expected to bring economic growth and opportunity in Mansfield.
“As energy becomes more and more scarce, we have to look at other options,” said Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry. “Our industrial park has lots of businesses in it, and we are trying to recruit more in it as well.”
The installation of the farm will allow more businesses to move in and use the source of energy. 
“The city is able to put back into use land that we have been taking care of but not receiving any benefits from, as well as providing more power to industrial users locally,” Perry said.
While construction on the farm is still underway and no completion date has been set, the city is already welcoming industrial businesses into their new facilities. Eventually, these businesses will be able to benefit from the renewable energy that will be produced from the solar farm. 

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