Project Benefits
Rocky Forge Wind delivers significant benefits to the community beyond generating reliable, locally generated electricity. These benefits include a new source of income for farmers and landowners, additional tax revenue to support local priorities, hundreds of construction jobs, and long-term operations careers, among others.
Generating Affordable, Clean, American Energy
Wind energy is among the most affordable sources of electricity in many places across the United States. Utility-scale renewable energy prices are significantly below those for coal generation, and less than half the cost of nuclear.
Because wind requires no fuel, adding it to a utility's mix lowers fuel costs and shields customers from price swings.
New Revenue for Community Priorities
Rocky Forge Wind will generate significant economic benefits for Botetourt County, including over $20 million in new property tax revenue for the county over its lifetime.
This revenue can be invested in local priorities such as supporting local schools, improving roads, funding emergency responders, or even lowering the tax burden on other residents and property owners.
Construction Jobs and Opportunities
Construction on rocky Forge Wind was led by Mountain Crane, along with numerous other local contractors, including Virginia-based Faulconer Construction. Nearly $40 million was been spent with Virginia businesses during the construction process, creating hundreds of good-paying construction jobs and significant spending on local materials and services, supporting area small businesses and contractors.
Long-term Clean Energy Careers
Renewable energy jobs are among the fastest-growing employment opportunities in the country, with installation and technician positions consistently ranked among the top five fastest-growing occupations. The total number of positions is expected to grow by 40% to 60% over the next decade.
Technician jobs are also good-paying jobs, with a median wage of more than $60,000 per year.
A Commitment to Host Communities
One of Apex Clean Energy’s primary goals is to be a dependable, long-term partner to residents, local governments, and community organizations where our projects are located. One small way we do this is through our Community Grant Program. We don’t wait for our projects to become operational to start giving back to the community.
The program’s goal is to fund projects and programs that build safe and healthy communities, create economic opportunity, encourage environmental sustainability, and promote education. Since 2017, Apex has donated more than $7 million in support of organizations across the country. Learn more and apply today: