RICHLAND, Mich. — Consumers Energy has announced plans to construct a solar park on farmland off of M-89 in Richland Township.

The project, called ‘Liberty Farms Solar,’ spans 1200 acres and would bring 220 Megawatts of renewable energy to the area, which would power over 50,000 homes, per Consumers.

Consumers also plans to preserve 1,000 acres of wetlands and forest in the area.

Matt Johnson, a media relations specialist for Consumers, told News Channel 3 the project is expected to bring millions of dollars into the community and boost the local economy.

“It’s local school property taxes, personal property taxes that we’ll end up paying that will amount to millions of dollars over the 30-year lifespan of the project being in existence there,” Johnson said.

Bear Priest, the Richland Township Supervisor, has had conversations with Consumers and appreciates that they are willing to work with the Township, rather than getting permission from the state level, which they are permitted to do under state law.

“They said, ‘We want to come to Richland Township, use your ordinance, and do what’s called a workable solution,'” Priest said. “They give the township some input into screening and access and potential inputs to the infrastructure. It speaks to them wanting to be a good neighbor.”

Consumers presented the timeline and the plans for the project to the Township Planning Commission on Jan. 22.

The Township is waiting on an official application from Consumers, said Priest.

Community members are concerned about losing farmland in an area well-known for its abundance of it, according to Priest, but hope they can bring productive solutions to Consumers, who is still seeking input.

“I think that the reality is that we’re going to see solar here, and let’s work together to make it the best facility we can have,” Priest said.

“We are their partners in this,” Johnson added. “We want their community to benefit from this. We are committed to a cleaner Michigan, and we want to be able to reduce costs for our customers by creating cleaner, more cost-efficient energy.”

Consumers is scheduled to host a meeting with community members of Feb. 20 to listen to their thoughts on the project.

They hope to break ground on the project in 2026, and complete it by 2027.