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Proposed solar farm raises questions in Smith Township. Posted: Sep 8, 2026 / 10:41 PM EDT Updated: Sep 8, 2026 / 10:41 PM EDT SMITH TWP., Ohio (WKBN) - A proposed solar farm is moving forward in Smith Township, but not without concerns. Township leaders say major questions about the project remain unanswered. Trustees are now working with the Mahoning County Engineer's Office and Pivot Energy on a road maintenance agreement. Pivot Energy plans to build the solar farm off State Route 14. The roadwork would cover just over half a mile between Route 14 and the project site. Trustees are concerned about how much work is needed to handle construction traffic. Trustee Scott Showalter says the township hasn't heard from Pivot Energy since Aug. 5. He says questions remain about drainage and concerns raised by the EPA. "It's quite a considerable amount of improvement that would need to be made as far as widening the road, moving ditches, removing trees. But the biggest thing obviously is the widening of the road because obviously we are a very rural community. So, you know, ditching and drainage concerns also come into play as well," Showalter said. In 2024, Mahoning County commissioners banned large-scale wind and solar projects in 10 townships. That ban applies to projects capable of generating at least 50 megawatts. Smith Township wasn't included in that ban.

Pivot Energy provides $350,000 for training, Energy Assistance, land preservation, agricultural education in Illinois. Pivot's Community Impact Program benefits dozens of IL nonprofit organizations near company's 22 statewide operational solar facilities CHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, August 26, 2026 / EINPresswire.com / - Pivot Energy, a leading national renewable energy provider, reached a milestone in its community impact program earlier this month by donating $350,000 to Illinois communities across the state where it operates solar projects. The donations are helping provide Illinoisans with a path to join the growing solar energy workforce, reduce the burden of energy costs on families, and advance land preservation and agricultural education. Pivot's Community Investment Fund contributes to every local community where it builds and operates solar energy projects. In Illinois, the company has supported workforce development, apprenticeship programs, agricultural education, land conservation, energy assistance, weatherization, and other efforts. Pivot has recently made donations to Hire360, Illinois Central College, McHenry County Farm Bureau Foundation, Natural Land Institute, C.E.F.S Economic Opportunity Corporation, and Springfield Urban League, among others. "Across Illinois, we are practicing purpose-driven solar development by elevating the efforts of local community organizations already making an impact across economic development and agricultural revitalization," said Liz Reddington, Vice President, Development, Pivot Energy "We believe we can always do more, and that's why we listen to community members where we build our projects about ways Pivot can give back." Donations are only one facet of Pivot's efforts to benefit the communities where it builds and operates solar projects. The company will pay an estimated $5.7 million in property taxes on its 22 operating Illinois solar projects. The property taxes will support local public services such as schools, roads and public safety, over the next 40 years. The company is also committed to dual-use agricultural practices at all its qualified projects, which creates opportunities for family farmers and graziers while improving soil health. Additionally, each megawatt of local solar and battery storage capacity Pivot builds helps ensure Illinois residents have access to more reliable, homegrown, lower cost electricity. Key investments across the Community Impact Fund in Illinois include: Hire360: Over $90,000 in donations are supporting pre-apprenticeship programs advancing the creation of workforce pathways into the solar industry, focusing on local residents, workers transitioning from fossil fuels, and underrepresented groups such as minorities and women. Hire360 is a not-for-profit organization expanding employment opportunities through recruiting, training, placement and mentorship. Pivot has contributed to HIRE360 workforce training programs since 2024. Springfield Urban League (SUL): Pivot's support for the SUL is helping job trainees in the technology and construction industries. Ten thousand dollars was committed to help job trainees earn FAA drone certification. Dr. Marcus E. Johnson, SUL President and CEO noted, "Young adults are walking into interviews with FAA drone licenses in hand and walking out with job offers and paid contracts. This partnership turned a training room into a launchpad for real income and real careers in the clean-energy economy." McHenry County Farm Bureau Foundation: Pivot donated $30,000 towards the McHenry County Farm Bureau's (MCFB) Agriculture in the Classroom program, which educates and inspires the next generation of farmers by helping students build meaningful connections to agriculture. MCFB is a nonprofit membership organization serving over 700 farm families through legislative representation, education, and community. Natural Land Institute: Pivot's $30,000 donation to the Natural Land Institute will support agricultural conservation easements in Boone County. Land will be put into conservation easements to be protected in perpetuity, helping maintain the agricultural character of the local community. The Natural Land Institute is a nonprofit organization that has helped residents of northern Illinois conserve the land they cherish, protect land and water resources, wildlife habitat, and its way of life. C.E.F.S Economic Opportunity Corporation: Pivot donated $10,000 to C.E.F.S., which helps low-income families in several central Illinois counties keep warm during the winter and stay cool in the summer. This donation supported C.E.F.S.'s Weatherization Program and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) emergency furnace funding. Illinois Central College: Pivot contributed $62,000 to ICC's Educational Foundation to help fund workforce development programs, like its Solar Pipeline Training Program. The program couples career readiness skills with technical solar installation instruction to prepare graduates for the NABCEP PV Associate Exam and give them the experience necessary to analyze, design, sell, and install photovoltaic systems. About Pivot Energy Founded in 2009, Pivot Energy is a leading national renewable energy provider and independent power producer that develops, owns, and operates solar and energy storage projects. Pivot delivers renewable energy solutions that strengthen local economies, create jobs, and provide affordable, reliable power for businesses and communities across the U.S. As a Certified B Corporation, Pivot combines purpose and performance to ensure every project generates meaningful economic and social value. Pivot is an ECP portfolio company. Learn more at pivotenergy.net. About Pivot Energy in Illinois Pivot has been working in Illinois since 2018 and has 64 Illinois solar projects currently operational or under construction across the state - for a total of 213 MW. Ninety-five percent of Pivot's qualified ground-mounted IL solar projects include sheep grazing. The company makes donations to local nonprofit organizations for each project it develops in Illinois through its investment fund in the areas of workforce development, energy burden assistance, or agriculture initiatives. Kate Laursen Pace Public Relations + 12036105879 email Alternative Energy Reporter here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. Alternative Energy Reporter do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. 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