GOVERNOR CULVER BREAKS GROUND ON NEXTERA FACILITY IN STORY CITY
- Release Date: Wednesday, April 01, 2009
- Dateline (city): Story City
- Contact: State of Iowa - European Office
- Attachment:
Wind Turbine Service Facility will create 75 construction, 25 permanent jobs
(STORY CITY) –Governor Chet Culver joined with local officials to welcome NextEra Energy to Story City today by breaking ground on the company’s new Generation Repair and Service (GRS) facility. Located next to I-35, the $20 million facility is expected to create 75 construction jobs and 25 permanent jobs in the community.
“All over the state, as wind towers are put up, new industries are being created. Where there are wind towers, there are job opportunities. Nothing demonstrates that more than today’s announcement by NextEra here in Story City,” said Governor Culver. “I want to welcome NextEra to this community, and thank them for their continued commitment to Iowa. Even in a time of national economic difficulties, we’re proving that here in Iowa, jobs are being created – just when we need them the most!”
Construction on NextEra’s GRS facility will begin immediately and be completed by the end of 2009. The GRS facility will be used to overhaul and repair wind turbine electric generation equipment operated by subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Resources. GRS will also be used to warehouse and store parts and supplies to support renewable and other energy related operations throughout the Midwest.
The Story City Facility was made possible thanks to the efforts of Governor Culver, the Iowa Dept. of Economic Development, and the Story City Economic Development Corporation, which provided direct financial assistance, employee training, sale tax refunds and tax credits for inventory, equipment, and property.
NextEra Energy Resources, the largest wind and solar energy producer in North America, currently operates four wind facilities in the state that generate more than 600 MW of electricity.