Grandview wins lawsuit against some residents blocking solar project construction

GRANDVIEW, Ind. (WEHT) — Grandview has won a lawsuit against some of its residents who oppose the Grandview Solar project.

Some people were hoping to block the development on what they call “good farmland.” A Dubois County judge says there’s no issue with the start of construction.

Eyewitness News is told at least 100 people are against the development. One of those hundred — named Jim Kost — is saddened by the decision.

“I wish Grandview would wake up and see what’s happening to the little town here,” Kost says. “It’s going to get ruined. There’s like 125 people in town that don’t want this.”

Kost has been a Grandview residents for more than 50 years. He isn’t happy with Judge Nathan Verkamp’s decision to dismiss the residents’ lawsuit seeking to stop the project from happening.

Developers from Grandview Solar wish to place solar panels on — what Eyewitness News is told is — hundreds of acres.

“I feel like there’s a lot of ground north of here that’s coal reclaim ground that they could have put that on,” Kost says. “It’s just a shame that they brought that into our town. We have to look at that everyday.”

When Eyewitness News spoke with project representatives in June, it was told the community will receive $20 million in tax revenue and another $650,000 for sewer upgrades in Grandview.

Kost is convinced however others in town don’t want the development, and that the farmland will be permanently destroyed.

“This farm ground out here — it’s been farm for years, and it can remain being farmed,” Kost says. “I think it’s too close to town. The farm ground in — let’s say — 20 years they give this ground back. I don’t the ground’s going to be worth crap. Ground’s not going to be viable.”

Kost tells Eyewitness News he believes property values will be ruined as well.

Town residents have 30 days to ask the court to reconsider or appeal the decision.

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