In June of 2020, the Sebastian County Quorum Court voted to move forward with a proposed solar project with national construction firm McKinstry Essention, LLC. McKinstry will install two projects in Sebastian County, one in the SWEPCO area at Midland Park, and the second in the OG&E area, where land has been obligated pending final evaluations.
The project is being funded by a $600,000 payment from the county’s general capital reserve account, with the remaining $1,995,760 balance financed for 20 years, at 2.79% interest.
Ordinance 2020-8 was enacted by the quorum court on June 16, 2020. It authorizes the “execution and delivery of an installment financing agreement with respect to the acquisition, purchase and financing of certain energy efficient equipment, including, specifically, solar equipment and related equipment and improvements…”
The Midland site has been cleared and the county is currently awaiting soil testing results. The OG&E site is scheduled for soil testing in the next week. According to Sebastian County Judge Hudson, solar modular equipment is scheduled for delivery in December, and that both sites should be completed by April 2021.
