Fact v. Fiction: estimated economics can't be right!

Fiction #4: “The estimates of jobs and economic benefits are dramatically inflated.”

Fact: The Teanaway Solar Reserve will create approximately 225 jobs during a two-three year construction phase. The calculation is pretty straightforward since it is based on the volume of work entailed in the installation of 400,000 panels on the proposed site. Once it’s generating power, we’ll need to hire at least 35 permanent employees to operate and maintain the project. We are requiring that our manufacturing partner locate an assembly plant in Cle Elum, which will create even more jobs in addition to the above figures.

An economic study estimates that $97 million in sales tax revenues will be pumped into Kittitas County during construction. Plus, the project will continue to generate a significant revenue stream once it’s operational. More than $1.5 million annually in property tax revenues will go directly to the county and its various taxing districts. Every year this includes $263,000 to Cle Elum-Roslyn public schools, $330,000 to local roads, and $92,000 to the hospital. These statistics are derived from the projected total cost of the project, which is expected to run between $300-350 million depending upon the price of the panels at the time the manufacturer deal is signed.