Botetourt County, Virginia – June 6, 2026 – Saturday afternoon, Apex Clean Energy representatives were joined by state and local officials, business leaders, landowners, and supporters to commemorate the construction of Rocky Forge Wind, the Commonwealth’s first land-based wind farm.
Following a program during which state and local officials highlighted the project’s economic impact on the region, attendees had the opportunity to sign their names on part of one of project’s 254-foot-long wind turbine blades that will soon rise above North Mountain, northeast of Eagle Rock.
“As a homegrown Virginia-based company, we couldn’t be prouder to see Rocky Forge Wind under construction as Virginia’s first wind project,” said Ken Young, CEO of Apex. “This project represents years of diligent effort and a coordinated team approach by the Apex team, our landowner partners, our construction team, and supporters throughout Botetourt County and the Commonwealth. It takes a strong team to do this work, and we’re grateful for the long-term partnerships that made today possible.”
Rocky Forge Wind is a 13-turbine, 79.3-megawatt project developed by Charlottesville-based Apex Clean Energy, which plans to own and operate the facility when it is completed later this year. The facility is hosted on private land, which is leased to the company by local landowners. Botetourt County landowner Jerry Fraley has dreamt of building Virginia’s first wind farm since 2007.
“I’m the third generation from my family to be in the energy business,” said Fraley. “In that time, I’ve moved from mining the coal beneath our feet to harvesting the wind from the skies above our heads. We all use energy, and Rocky Forge is here to provide local energy from a clean, unlimited natural resource that will benefit Botetourt County for years to come. It is a win-win for everyone. Most of all, I want to thank our many supporters, individuals, clubs, businesses, state and local government, Apex, and my family -- especially my wife, Louise.”
Rocky Forge Wind will generate significant economic benefits for Botetourt County, including up to $25 million in new property tax revenue for the county over its lifetime.
“We are proud to celebrate the construction of Virginia’s first onshore wind farm and grateful to Apex Clean Energy for choosing Botetourt County as the home of this historic project," said Mac Scothorn, Chair of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors. "Rocky Forge Wind reflects the strength of partnership, innovation, and long-term investment in our community."
The project is being constructed by Mountain Crane, along with numerous other local contractors, including Virginia-based Faulconer Construction. Nearly $40 million has been spent with Virginia businesses during the construction process.
"Thank you to Apex Clean Energy for entrusting us to build Virginia's first wind project. Behind this milestone are 160 individuals, more than 250,000 man-hours, and millions of dollars in work shared across our major and minor subcontractors," said Paul Belcher, owner of Mountain Crane. "This is a historic moment for the state and the good people of Virginia, and we are humbled to have a hand in raising its first onshore wind farm. We are grateful to everyone who carried this project to where it stands today and honored to have worked alongside such a remarkable team, from our Virginia-based contractors and workforce to the crews and suppliers who traveled here from across the country to be part of it. There is nothing I value more than the safety, quality, and environmental stewardship our people brought to this work, and the part we are playing in helping Virginia generate clean, domestic, American-made energy."
“Building new energy generation – especially clean energy generation – is the most important contribution we can make to move Virginia’s economy forward,” said Steve Bowers, president of Faulconer Construction, headquartered in Charlottesville with local offices in Salem, VA. “Compounding the local benefit, Apex Clean Energy kept millions of dollars of investment in the Commonwealth and leveraged the knowledge, commitment and effort of scores of men and women born and raised in Southwest Virginia by partnering with Faulconer at Rocky Forge Wind.”
Terry Austin, who represents Botetourt County in the Virginia House of Delegates, highlighted how the project will support energy security, economic growth, and long-term competitiveness for both Botetourt County and the State of Virginia.
“Virginia’s energy future depends on an all-of-the-above strategy,” said Delegate Austin. “With Virginia importing roughly 40 percent of the energy we use, projects like Rocky Forge represent an important step toward greater energy independence and a more secure, resilient energy future for the Commonwealth. Projects like Rocky Forge diversify our energy portfolio, strengthen reliability, and help meet growing demand. As technology companies, advanced manufacturers, and other major employers increasingly seek access to renewable energy when making investment decisions, projects like Rocky Forge help ensure Virginia remains competitive in attracting new business and job creation.”
As energy demand in Virginia and across the country continues to increase, Rocky Forge Wind represents an opportunity for the state to diversify its energy supply and address affordability challenges in the face of a looming electricity supply demand imbalance.
Through the development of Rocky Forge Wind, Apex has also made long-term investments in community organizations through the company’s Community Grant Program, which has awarded more than $50,000 to support local nonprofits and community causes.
Rocky Forge Wind’s 13 wind turbines are expected to be fully constructed over the summer, with the project reaching commercial operations and generating electricity for Virginia’s power grid by the end of the year.
One of Rocky Forge Wind's blades traveling on Gala Loop Road
