Kingman County, Kansas officials made smart decisions over a decade ago when they approved the Flat Ridge 2 wind project, following by two more wind developments over the next eight years. Those projects have provided the county over $10 million in revenue over the last decade, allowing Kingman County and the communities within to invest in their public safety and local infrastructure. Kingman County has smartly used funds for their law enforcement center and for rural fire protection. Meanwhile, participating landowners are each reaping $10,000 or more for each windmill on their land. That’s guaranteed annual income for farmers that also has a direct positive impact on the local economy. The Kingman County Commissioners are so “bought in” to their wind farms that one commissioner told the state to “leave our local control alone” when there was discussion of statewide restrictions.
Kingman County recognizes the balance that’s needed with renewable energy – with wind farms come the ability to provide better services to protect and serve their citizens. In 2022 alone, Kingman County received $1.6 million and will continue to reap these considerable benefits for the foreseeable future – enabling local officials to invest in their citizen’s safety, protection and the growth of their communities.