Economic Development Authority Director Wayne Vardaman with wind and solar energy company, Nextera ,representatives Latoya Henson and Steven Lamb went before the Dallas County Commission Monday night to request tax abatements to assist in the development of a solar farm.

The first abatement requested by Vardaman was a one time sales and use tax abatement of $1,389,843.

The second abatement requested was a 13-year property tax abatement of $2,575,996.

According to Vardaman, Nextera is competing for a contract to develop a Solar Farm in Dallas County to provide energy to Alabama Power Company.

According to Vardaman, if Nextera wins the contract, and locate the project locally, they would make a capital investment of $75 million.

Construction for the project would commence February, 2021 and the project would be completed in November the same year.

Vardaman said that the project would hire local contractors and provide Dallas County Schools with tax revenues totaling $1,862,225.

The Commission then unanimously voted to pass the abatements proposed by Varadaman on behalf of Nextera.