The Fisher County Hospital District Board of Directors approved a proposed tax abatement from Innovative Solar when officials met on Monday regarding the Indigo Solar Project, which is expected to bring over $2.1 million to the district during the next decade.
Derrick Peters is a consultant with the Indigo Solar Project and was on hand with David Ramm, who also works in association with Indigo, to answer any last-minute questions hospital officials might raise. Based in Houston, Ramm remarked on the recent snowstorm that occurred there and how appreciative he was to be in Fisher County at the moment.
“We’re looking forward to building this project.
We’ve been at it for a while,” said Ramm, explaining the company’s significant investment from pre-ordering a good deal of equipment and interconnecting to the transmission line.
The Indigo Project is a large-scale solar energy and battery storage development planned for southeastern Fisher County. Initially developed by Innovative Solar Solutions (ISS), the project is part of a broader portfolio of 690 MW spread across four projects in Texas.
The Fisher County solar farm, designated as IS245, is one of multiple projects also planned in Jones, Castro, Swisher, Coleman, and Haskell counties. The Fisher County phase is expected to include solar panels, battery storage, a substation, and a switchyard, all of which will connect to the Lone Star transmission line for electricity distribution.
Once operational, the project is expected to provide long-term clean energy to the grid, supporting Texas’ renewable energy infrastructure while also creating local construction jobs and retaining at least one permanent employee for ongoing operations.
Peters has been working with Fisher County Hospital District’s legal counsel for several weeks regarding the proposed tax abatement. He assured hospital directors that the company is excited to be in Fisher County despite the start-and-stop motion of the project. He said there are many moving parts and other entities involved, such as the Fisher County Commissioners.
Fisher Commissioners approved a tax abatement with Indigo in December, which when coupled with a payment in lieu of taxes equated a roughly 50% tax break. Although the agreement presented to FCHD was similar in many respects, the company agrees to pay the district $217,000 annually during the 10-year abatement term.
Hospital directors and administrators convened in an executive session, where officials reviewed details of the agreement with legal counsel. Upon reconvening, the board approved the abatement with little further discussion.
“We really appreciate your help and cooperation, and we look forward to being a good member of the community,” said Ramm, assuring officials he would keep the district up to date on the company’s progress, saying they are looking forward to breaking ground in the months ahead. Construction is anticipated to begin in the second quarter of 2025, and further details are expected as the project moves forward.