Major solar project expected to bring jobs to San Benito County
In Hollister, members of Panoche Valley Solar are meeting with local business owners about some major growth in San Benito County.
The 2,500 acre solar panel farm east of Hollister is expected to bring hundreds of jobs. Off the bat, 1,5000 workers are needed to bring to life the 247-megawatt plant between San Benito, Fresno and Merced Counties.
If you’re not familiar with it, the solar plant will have rows upon rows of solar panels. Panoche Valley Solar CEO John Pimentel said it could power 68-thousand homes with renewable energy. The project will cost upwards of $650 million and San Benito County would benefit the most.
Not only because it’s being built here, but because it’s written into the contract hire and buy local. A roundtable discussion is a way to for local business owners to throw their names out there and network.
“When they do need a key made, or a tire fixed, or food delivered or housing, or a general contractor to build something, our concrete to be poured, they know where to find those local resources,” Pimentel said.
Five-hundred jobs are needed for the construction of the plant alone. The other thousand are indirect, hiring vendors who can provide services. While the jobs are temporary, lasting maybe two years, the benefits would last longer.
This project wasn’t without its opposition. There are several residents against the solar farm for various reasons. But the plan is a done deal, it’s expected to bring $40 million in sales tax and fee revenues. A lot of that would go to public safety, infrastructure, and schools.
