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Harvesting the wind – Downstate community embraces chance to become alternative-energy powerhouse

Desperate for an economic comeback, this struggling community is embracing plans to turn this landscape of low-lying cropland into a skyline of gigantic towers.

Forty stories tall, with twirling arms as long as several semis, at least 243 wind towers would be scattered over 50 square miles in what the wind industry says will be the most productive land-based wind farm on Earth. Farmers who toil to make $50,000 in a good year could rent their land to developers and add half that much–guaranteed–by watching the wind blow.

Elsewhere in Illinois, wind projects far less daunting have met stiff opposition. But not here in McLean County, where towns have been dying, shops closing, schools shuttering, population falling and farming fading.

By E.A. Torriero
Tribune staff reporter

Full Story: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0506120555jun12,1,7407567.story?coll=chi-business-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

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