Plans for a prospective solar farm are progressing again.
Jay County Commissioners gave
Invenergy plans to build Skycrest Solar, a $150 million, 155-megawatt facility on 2,500 acres in Penn and Jackson townships. The company will contribute about $1.74 million in economic development payments to the county over four years. Payments must begin no later than six months after construction begins, according to approved agreements.
One of Invenergy’s agreements with the county requires a bond to cover decommissioning costs. County attorney Wes Schemenaur noted the company plans to seek estimates from engineering firms Westwood Professional Services and Stantec. Invenergy will present the estimates as options for commissioners to choose from at their Oct. 26 meeting.
Invenergy’s agreements with the county require construction to begin by the end of 2026, with the solar panels to go online by Dec. 31, 2028.
In November 2025, Jay County Plan Commission approved a limited construction permit for Invenergy in northwest Jay County. Invenergy still needs to seek its full construction permit from the county. Schemenaur said the company plans to seek the permit in December, after which it plans to break ground.
Invenergy is the second company to seek estimates for a decommissioning bond for a solar project in Jay County.
Earlier this month, commissioners set Scout Clean Energy’s decommissioning bond for its Sun Chief Solar project northeast of Redkey at $5.64 million.
Plans for Sun Chief Solar call for a $100 million, 100-megawatt solar farm on 1,200 acres near Bitter Ridge Wind Farm. The company has until Dec. 31, 2027, to finish construction.
Over the last six years, Invenergy, Scout Clean Energy and Leeward Renewable Energy have been working to establish solar farms in Jay County. Hodson Energy had also been developing New Jay Solar Farm but recently announced it had canceled the project because it was no longer feasible without a buyer for the electricity.
Also Monday, commissioners authorized Jay County highway superintendent Bob Howell to move forward with plans to purchase a new road roller in January. The decision hinges on Jay County Council approving the highway department’s 2027 budget.
Howell explained the department has been renting a roller but pointed to rising prices. He suggested using funds budgeted for a second new pickup truck next year. Howell estimated the roller would cost $159,800 and suggested using the $57,000 pickup truck allotment as a down payment, with the remainder to come from a loan.
Commissioners also gave Howell permission to transfer one of the department’s old pickup trucks to Jay County Courthouse superintendent Monte Shrack for maintenance needs. Duane Monroe, president of the commissioners, thanked Howell for coordinating with other department heads regarding vehicles.
In other business, commissioners Chad Aker, Doug Horn and Monroe:
• Agreed to hold a public hearing at 5:45 p.m. Oct. 13 on a request to rezone Kevin Smith’s property at 7518 E. Indiana 67, Bryant, from commercial to agricultural residential.
• Tabled a decision on a request for a letter of support from East Central Indiana Regional Planning District designating the district as Jay County’s economic development district. Monroe noted district representatives plan to attend a meeting in October and suggested holding off until they make a presentation to commissioners.
• Approved the following: Jay County Health Department’s application for its annual bioterrorism grant; a $33,920 claim from JH Consulting for Jay County Emergency Management Agency’s commodity flow study, funded through a hazardous materials grant; and a $23,500 claim from Goodhew Roofing for repairs at Jay County Retirement Center (Jay County Country Living).
• Approved scrapping Jay County Highway Department’s 1993 Ford Ranger.
• Asked Jay Emergency Medical Service director Gary Barnett to seek quotes for new tablets for the department’s ambulances. Aker pointed to issues with the existing equipment.
• Learned JEMS is working on a program to begin carrying blood products on ambulances. The program would be funded by a grant for at least the first five years.
• Heard a monthly financial breakdown from Barnett. In August, JEMS had $146,217.72 in expenses and $91,829.86 in income. As of Sept. 1, the department had $212,858.87 in bills yet to be collected.
• Agreed during the drainage board meeting to hold a public hearing Nov. 9 regarding plans to combine the Upper Salamonie River watershed into the Salamonie River watershed.
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