Bolstering Indiana Communities, Strengthening America

What does nearly $400 million of private investment look like in a rural Indiana county? In Pike County, it looks like new jobs, stronger schools, farmland preserved for future generations — and a stronger economy built on a broader tax base.

Arevon’s Ratts 1 and Heirloom Solar projects bring 264 megawatts (MWdc) of electricity to southern Indiana while adding more than $86 million in local tax revenue over their lifespans. They also created more than 200 full-time construction jobs. For a rural county looking toward the future, the projects are as much about community strength and lower taxes as they are about energy.

A Major Investment Helping Strengthen Pike County’s Economy and Schools

Ratts 1 and Heirloom show how solar can serve as an economic driver for rural communities. In Pike County, they represent a long-term investment in the future, bringing new private capital and significant new tax revenue.

Local leaders view the projects as a way to strengthen the economy, ease the tax burden on families, and provide meaningful support for schools. With solar land valued at four and a half times higher than agricultural land, the county’s tax base will grow substantially. Both county government and the Pike County School Corporation, the county’s largest employer, each receive about 43% of local property tax revenue, ensuring the benefits are widely shared across essential services and education.

Ashley Willis

Executive Director, Pike County Economic Development Corporation

“I’m very excited for this capital investment, millions of dollars that will be poured into Pike County and our community. Pike County has long been a coal-fired power generation community, but we’ve seen the downturn in that economy. Now, we’re transitioning to a new energy economy, and renewables are part of that future. The major benefit Pike County will see from the Ratts 1 and Heirloom Solar Projects is the increase in assessed value. Solar land will be valued at four and a half times higher than agricultural land. That is critical for us because it will help reduce tax rates for our citizens over the long term.”

Dr. Suzanne Blake

Superintendent of the Pike County School Corporation and Landowner

“Pike County School Corporation is unique in its design as a single K-12 school district encompassing the entire county. Schools in Indiana rely on two primary sources of funding: ADM (Average Daily Membership) funding based on student enrollment and local property tax revenue. The school district and the county government each receive about 43% of the local property tax revenue. This is a significant source of revenue for the school district which will be used to improve our school facilities, replace aging infrastructure, and increase the educational opportunities offered to all students in our district.”

In addition to local tax revenue for schools and county services, an independent analysis projects even broader gains for Pike County’s economy. A 2020 study by the Gnarly Tree Sustainability Institute, in collaboration with Dr. Kenneth Richards of Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, as well as further estimates derived by Arevon, anticipates the projects would add approximately $27 million to Pike County’s GDP during construction, with about $1.1 million per year expected during operations.

In Pike County, the story of Ratts 1 and Heirloom Solar isn’t just about energy. It’s about stronger schools, lower taxes, and family farms staying in the family. Hear directly from the people who know it best.

Preservation of Land and Legacy

With more than 25 participating landowners, these projects show how solar can preserve land and legacy for the next generation. Solar provides a steady source of diversified income that is not affected by droughts, floods, or crop prices — while allowing families to continue owning their land.

For many landowners, the added income has made it possible to keep farms in their families, protecting what past generations worked hard to secure. In some cases, leasing a portion of land for solar has also helped fund the remainder of a farm. For example, about half of the Garretson family’s tillable land continues to be actively farmed, supported in part by the reliable lease income from their solar participation.

Once the projects are retired, landowners will be able to decide how to use their well-rested ground, whether to return it to crops or choose another use that benefits their family.

From the community’s perspective, solar strengthens schools, roads, and other essential services, while also ensuring farmland avoids permanent development and remains available for the next generation.

Keith Garretson

Landowner

“Our farm has been in the family for several generations. It was first purchased by my great-grandparents, then by my grandparents, and later by my parents, uncles, and their families. We’ve all lived in the Dutchtown community for decades. With a solar lease, you don’t have to worry about weather, insurance, or crop blights — and you still own your land. In 30 to 35 years, the land can go back to farming corn, soybeans, or whatever the next generation chooses. Solar gives families like ours, who have sacrificed to hold on to their farms for generations, a way to keep that land in the family.”

Helping Meet America’s Growing Demand for Reliable, Affordable Power

The U.S. is facing its biggest surge in electricity demand in decades, and Pike County is part of the solution to meet fast-growing electricity needs and keep America strong. Projects like Ratts 1 and Heirloom Solar are scaling quickly to keep pace with rising demand while holding costs stable for consumers. With long-term, fixed pricing over the 35-year life of the projects, utility-scale solar strengthens America’s resilience to fuel price swings and supply shortages.

Arevon has secured long-term partnerships to make these benefits possible. Meta Platforms, Inc. signed an Environmental Attributes Purchase Agreement for the Heirloom Solar Project, while the Ratts 1 Solar Project will deliver energy under a long-term power purchase agreement with the Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA). IMPA, a not-for-profit formed so municipally-owned utilities could pool resources, supplies electricity more affordably to its members, which serve more than 350,000 individuals throughout Indiana and Ohio.

Kyle Brouillette

Senior Vice President of Market Operations and Planning, Indiana Municipal Power Agency

“This project is an important part of our overall power supply portfolio. It is an Indiana resource and will aid IMPA in achieving our mission of bringing a low cost, reliable, and environmentally responsible power supply to our 61 member communities.”

Investing in More Than Power

For Arevon, renewable energy development is about more than megawatts. It’s about showing up, building relationships, and supporting the priorities that make a community thrive. In Pike County, we’ve been honored to support local initiatives that strengthen education, health, safety, and quality of life. Here are a few examples:

Increasing Access to Affordable Housing

Arevon is supporting a collaborative initiative led by the Pike County Economic Development Corporation to expand affordable housing. The program identifies and restores blighted properties, working with developers to build new homes or renovate existing ones to create safe, affordable single- and multi-family housing. By opening the door to new housing opportunities, the program aims to grow the local population, raise assessed value, and build community pride.

Supporting STEM Education

Arevon has sponsored nearly 60 Pike County students to attend the Elmer Buchta Technology Center’s summer STEM camp, continuing its support for local education. The center plays a vital role in regional workforce development, offering hands-on training, co-working and maker space, and entrepreneurship support. Guided by Pike County school instructors, students gain problem-solving experience and explore future career opportunities in the STEM workforce.

Equipping First Responders

Arevon provided funding to the Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department to help ensure firefighters have the equipment and resources they need. Volunteer fire departments are essential to rural safety, and this support helps them continue protecting families across Pike County.

Celebrating Community at the Pike County 4-H Fair

Arevon has supported the Pike County 4-H Fair by sponsoring popular events such as the demolition derby, student project awards, and family fun night. These activities celebrate the hard work of local youth, bring families together, and keep one of Pike County’s most cherished community traditions strong.

The Ratts 1 and Heirloom Solar Projects show what private investment can mean for a rural county: stronger schools, steadier tax revenue, and family land preserved for the next generation. For Arevon, this is what it means to invest in more than power: building relationships, strengthening communities, and ensuring Pike County thrives for years to come.

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