Howard County, Iowa, earned more than $2.7 million in tax revenue last year from its nearly 150 wind turbines, funding roads, bridges, parks, and conservation projects without raising taxes on residents, reported Triple Pundit.
The county installed its first wind farm in 2008 and now hosts turbines that generate approximately 15% of total county revenues. Through intelligent tax policies, Howard County has invested more than $24 million of wind revenue into local infrastructure improvements that benefit everyone, according to Triple Pundit.
To accomplish this, Howard County combined thoughtful zoning regulations with a tax increment financing policy. When new turbines are built, the county collects taxes only on the increased property value and funnels that money into a special fund for community projects.
The Riceville Community School District, which includes areas with many wind turbines, now has one of the…
