Riverland Community College wind turbine technology students were presented with job opportunities on Wednesday in connection with the planned Freeborn Wind Energy Project in southeast Freeborn County.

Consultant Ava Lorenz, who is working with Dan Litchfield, senior manager of business development with Invenergy on the project, discussed the project and employment opportunities to approximately 20 students.

Students would receive real-world experience by  informing local residents of the project and its benefits, she said.

Students would earn $10 per hour for up to 40 hours per week. If support is given by citizens, they would be asked to sign a form that will be presented to the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners when a final vote for the project is given. The initiative is meant to build community support before the project.

The project would bring $3.5 to $4 million to the local economy each year that will benefit local schools and roads, Lorenz said. About 200 jobs are expected to be created by construction, with 10 to 15 permanent jobs.

“Not only is it bringing in tax revenue to the local community, it is also bringing in jobs to the local community,” she said.

Families who lease land for wind turbines can gain revenue from the transaction, and farmers can work up to the spot of the turbines, Lorenz said.

The 100-turbine project will be in Minnesota and Iowa. It has been estimated that each turbine will generate enough power for about 700 homes. It is expected that each wind turbine in Freeborn County will generate about $9,000 in local tax revenue — 80 percent to Freeborn County and 20 percent to the township the windmill is in.

Invenergy is developing the project. Xcel Energy will take over the construction and operation of the wind turbines.

The turbines are expected to be in London, Shell Rock, Hayward and Oakland townships.

Riverland wind turbine technology instructor Steve Vietor said the Freeborn Wind Energy Project is unique because a majority of wind farms are not built in the area.

“This is pretty exciting to have one being built right here in this area,” he said.

Vietor and Lorenz discussed the job prospects of wind energy and opportunities for advancement in the field with the students. They discussed the economic impact wind energy has on the community and misconceptions about it.

The discussion came one day after some Freeborn County residents expressed concern about the possible health effects caused by wind turbines near houses to the Board of Commissioners.

Bids for the project are expected to be released in July. If all goes according to plan, the project would be ready for operation in 2018 or by 2020 at the latest.