Mammoth Solar, Israeli, state and local officials join Gov. Holcomb at groundbreaking

“Knowing Indiana will continue to play a key role in the global energy sector while creating real change in our Hoosier communities is empowering,” the governor added. “It’s encouraging to witness the power industry moving toward reliable, affordable and ever more clean renewable energy sources for generations of Hoosiers to come."

Among those joining Holcomb at the groundbreaking were Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Gilad Erdan, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, Yinam Cohen, Dori Davidovitz. chairman of the board at Doral Group Renewable Energy Resources, Nick Cohen, CEO of Doral LLC, and Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers, along with local community leadership. The event was held at the Melody Drive-in Theater, south of Knox.

The project is expected to deliver a $1.5 billion investment in the company’s Indiana operations over the next five years.

Israel-based Doral Group, which was the first company to energize a commercial solar farm in Israel more than 13 years ago, has identified 13,000 acres across Starke and Pulaski counties in Northern Indiana to build the project. The Mammoth Solar project is expected to bring 1.3 gigawatts of clean energy to the region. The company plans to invest $475 million in phase one of the project, which will produce 400 megawatts of clean energy and is expected to become operational by mid-2023. In addition to providing renewable energy, the project is projected to remove 40,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and conserve 1 billion gallons of irrigation well water annually. Phases two and three, expected to begin during 2022, will produce approximately 900 megawatts of clean energy upon completion and will draw additional investments of approximately $1 billion.
 
“This project will be a model for solar energy in Indiana and the Midwest as a whole,” said Nick Cohen, CEO of Doral LLC, the U.S.-based partner of the Doral Group. “The 400 megawatts of energy produced here during the first phase of the project is enough to power 75,000 Midwestern households and will infuse millions of much-needed dollars into local Indiana communities. We are grateful for the support from Gov. Holcomb and Starke County officials who have established Indiana and the county as one of the most competitive places to invest in renewable energy projects. Support from local landowners and community leaders was also instrumental in making this project happen, and we look forward to working with them for decades to come.”

Cohen, a native of Tipton, Ind., has been instrumental in meeting locally with landowners and community shareholders in developing the project in Starke and Pulaski counties. He reminisced at Thursday’s ceremony about meeting with landowners “in their barns and on their porches” over the better part of the last two years to introduce and explain the project, and answer questions.

Gov. Holcomb interviewed by area media

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) reports Doral Renewables is working with AEP Energy Partners Inc., a subsidiary of American Electric Power and one of the largest electric energy wholesale suppliers in the U.S. Mammoth Solar Farm will make a significant contribution to the nation’s renewable energy portfolio, enabling local utilities, commerce and industry to procure power generated in the Midwest that would otherwise be generated in neighboring regions. It will provide opportunities for Midwestern companies to meet renewable targets with the lowest cost of renewable power anywhere. The solar farm, which will generate 1.65 GW dc of clean energy for 175,000 households across Indiana and Illinois.
 
Doral LLC will support the three-phase project with approximately 500 jobs during the construction period and up to 50 new, full-time jobs once fully operational. 
 
"The impact of the energy harvested from this truly 21st century energy solution will reach far beyond the 312 square miles of Starke County to businesses and residences throughout the country,” said Starke County Commissioner Mark Gourley.
 
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation is working with Doral Renewables LLC to finalize a committed investment in the form of incentive-based tax credits based on the company’s plans to create up to 50 new jobs by the end of 2023. Starke and Pulaski Counties are also considering additional incentives.

Thursday’s groundbreaking was a reunion of sorts for Gov. Holcomb with the Israeli representatives present at the event. During his visit to Israel in June, Holcomb met with stakeholders of Mammoth Solar to discuss the project during one of his scheduled stops. Also, in 2018, Holcomb led a delegation of Hoosier public officials and business executives to Israel for an economic development trip that has resulted in further economic ties between Indiana and the country. 

Preliminary project construction on the Mammoth Solar North (Starke County) will begin next year.

Efforts for development of Mammoth Solar Central and South in Pulaski County also continue, and officials said a similar groundbreaking event will be held for that portion of the project will be scheduled.

 (Note of interest: the Mammoth name was selected in reference to the pre-historic skeletal bones discovered of the Mastodon creatures in the area over past decades.)

 

About Doral Renewables LLC
Doral Renewables LLC was founded in 2019 as a joint venture between Doral Group and Clean Air Generation. Doral LLC currently has over 6 gigawatts of projects under development and over 30,000 acres of land control, mainly in Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. The management team of Doral LLC includes experienced multidisciplinary individuals who worked together for many years in the renewables industry in the United States.
 
About Doral Group
Doral Group is a publicly traded company on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in Israel (DORL) and is a global renewable energy leader, holding hundreds of long-term revenue generating renewable energy assets. With over 9 GWdc under development, Doral Group is active, in Israel, Europe, and the United States. Doral Group is also emerging as a worldwide leader in the field of solar + storage solutions, following its win of Israel’s biggest solar + storage tenders to build approximately 800MW(DC) + 1,500MW of storage facilities in Israel.
 
About IEDC
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is charged with growing the State economy, driving economic development, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Led by Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers and governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Eric J. Holcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, visit iedc.in.gov.

 

  
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Local News Briefs

Pulaski Christmas Lights return for 35th year

PULASKI – The annual Pulaski Christmas Lights displays returns this year and will be lit from 5 to 11 p.m., nightly beginning Sunday, Nov. 24 through Monday, Jan. 1, for public viewing.

Returning favorites include lighted (and many animated) Santas, reindeer, angels, Nativity scenes, farm animals, storefronts, gingerbread persons, Christmas trees and the signature wreath arch. This year will also feature many updated and new light displays.

HVRM offers 'Santa Trains'

Santa Trains will provide Christmas and winter fun on Saturdays in late November and into December at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum in North Judson.

Ride in a vintage commuter coach or former business car through the wintery countryside for approximately five miles from the depot to the small town of English Lake. After crossing the Kankakee River, the train returns to the depot and museum grounds. During the trip, passengers will enjoy visiting with Santa and each child and toddler will receive a gift bag from Santa.

CFoPC: Triple impact of #GivingTuesday gift in Pulaski County

Save the date! #GivingTuesday is Dec. 3, and The Community Foundation of Pulaski County (CFoPC) will once again spearhead the local observance of the day.

#GivingTuesday is a global day of celebrating generosity, created in 2012 for the purposes of fostering philanthropy, encouraging giving to important causes and celebrating the generosity of the community.

Chamber's Winter Wonderland Dec. 6

The Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce will hold its 22nd annual Winter Wonderland Friday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 9 p.m., in downtown Winamac.

The sixth annual “Lighted Christmas Parade” will welcome Santa at 7 p.m., Friday evening. The event will also feature craft and food vendors, horse-and-wagon rides, Christmas stories at the train depot and more.

PCPL announces November programs, activities

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for November. They include the annual “Our Heroes’ Tree,” a food drive, a recycling of old eyeglasses program, a Golden Experiences Art Exhibit, nature programs, and a Medicare 101 session.

For more information on any program, call the library at 574-946-3432 or visit the library’s website at www.pulaskicounty.lib.in.us.

Funding opportunity available for substance misue projects through Pulaski County Drug-Free Council

Do you care about reducing substance misuse in our county? Do you have an idea that could prevent misuse or help people enter recovery? Do you need funding to make your idea a reality?

The Drug-Free Council is pleased to announce that approximately $27,000 is available in grant awards to address problems related to substance misuse in Pulaski County.

  

Indiana News

Thanksgiving dinner cost down slightly in Indiana

But still high relative to recent years

INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 20) – Hoosiers gathering around the table for Thanksgiving dinner will find slight relief when it comes to purchasing ingredients, but the meal still reflects historically high costs. 

Indiana Farm Bureau’s annual Thanksgiving market basket survey shows that Hoosier shoppers can expect to spend approximately 2% less at the grocery store compared to 2023. According to this year’s pricing survey, Hoosiers are paying an average of $53.31 for a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people, or $5.33 per person.

State soybean harvest finished; corn 97% complete

EAST LANSING, MI – Harvest wrapped up in many areas last week across Indiana amid warm, rainy weather, according to Nathanial Warenski, state statistician, USDA NASS, Indiana Field Office.

Topsoil moisture levels increased from the previous week, with 54 percent rated adequate or surplus. The average temperature for the week was 47.6 degrees Fahrenheit, 6.1 degrees above normal for the state. The statewide average precipitation was 1.07 inches, 0.32 inches above normal.

Indiana’s Fair Oaks Farms receives $2.7 million to enhance education

FAIR OAKS (Nov. 12) – Seven Farm Credit System institutions have partnered with Indiana-based Lake States Dairy Center to enhance public knowledge and education of sustainable agricultural practices, livestock and food production at Fair Oaks Farms.

AgCountry Farm Credit Services, American AgCredit, CoBank, Compeer Financial, Farm Credit Mid-America, Farm Credit Services of America and Greenstone Farm Credit Services will contribute a combined $2.7 million over the next five years to help the center showcase food safety, animal care, nutrition, environmental stewardship, employee care and community.

Pulaski County unemployment dips to 3.6% in September

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dipped to 3.6 percent in September, down from 3.8 percent in August, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (Oct. 28). The rate was 2.5 percent a year ago.

The state's September unemployment rate was 4.3 percent (seasonally adjusted), up from 4.2 percent in August. The August 2023 rate was 3.5 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in August (seasonally adjusted), down fractionally from 4.2 percent in August. A year ago, the national rate was 3.8 percent.

 

Indiana COVID-19 News

Nov. 15: Serious respiratory illness low in U.S.; but RSV elevated

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Department of Health reported Nov. 12 that COVID-like illness emergency department visits numbered 300 from Oct. 20 - Nov. 5, down two from its previous weekly report.

There were no state COVID-19 hospital admissions (Nov. 3-9) unchanged from the week before. The state reported no deaths in the seven-day period (reflects confirmed COVID deaths reported to IDH).

  

Post News

Holidays can be hard

Ask for help if you need it

The holiday season is often a time of joy, celebration and connection with loved ones.

However, for many, it can also bring challenges such as stress, loneliness or heightened emotions. Stressful family dynamics, financial pressures, or even the societal expectation to feel cheerful can amplify existing struggles. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, there are resources and individuals ready to help.

Training, equipment enable county police to safely defuse potentially dangerous Nov. 19 domestic incident

Pulaski County police deputies arrested a Winamac man near midnight Tuesday (Nov. 19) on three felony charges, including domestic battery, following a meticulously planned and executed operation that resulted in a safe conclusion for all involved.

Arrested was Leonard Salyer, 30. The incident began when the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Knox Police Department in reference to a domestic dispute that originated in the Denham area of Pulaski County.

Alliance Junior Board visits Pulaski Memorial Hospital

FRANCESVILLE - The Alliance Bank Junior Board of Directors recently had an opportunity to meet with staff at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac to learn about its operations.

Students met with various staff members and asked questions to learned about the different roles and positions required to operate the hospital.

EPCS Board approves Secured School Grant

WINAMAC –  The Eastern Pulaski School Board discussed and approved a Secured School Grant the school corporation has received, during its Nov. 11 regular monthly meeting.

The matching grant for almost $39,500 will update the school campus key fob system, intercoms and camera system at doors to integrate with the school’s Verkada system.

West Central closes bond on construction projects

 FRANCESVILLE – The bond for the next round of construction projects at West Central Schools was closed Nov. 6, Superintendent Dr. Cathy Rowe reported to the school board at its November meeting.

She added that bid drawings are due from architect firm Moake Park to construction manager Tecton by Nov. 18, and the bonds sent out to bid around Dec. 23.

INDOT awards $139.7 million through Community Crossings matching grants

Pulaski County, Medaryville, Francesville receive funds

PETERSBURG (Nov. 7) – Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Transportation gathered Thursday at the Pike County Courthouse in Petersburg with cities, towns and counties from across southwest Indiana receiving portions of the nearly $140 million awarded through the Community Crossings matching grant program, a component of Holcomb's Next Level Roads program.

Locally, Pulaski County will receive $1,032,285 through Community Crossings, while Medaryville has been awarded $165,065. (See separate article below on Francesville.)