Renewables, like wind power, have been championed for their clean and plentiful energy sources, but they also benefit communities in other ways.

 A case study, “Direct Impact of Wind Energy Development in Howard County,” prepared by the Center for Rural Affairs highlights how wind power has benefited rural communities in Iowa.

The study was released this month. It details the financial benefits, perspectives and experiences of farmers, public officials and other community leaders from wind power first installed in the county almost two decades ago.

According to the study, wind power came to Iowa in the early 2000s. The first turbines in Howard County, known as the Pioneer I and II projects, were erected in 2008 and 2009. They consisted of 182 turbines with 178 MW of capacity. Ten years later, Madison Gas and Electric built another 33 turbines with a capacity of 66 MW near the county seat of Cresco in 2019. 

The study concludes that the wind turbines have been “an economic boon for the county.” It notes that they supply “stable and significant tax revenue” to the county and local schools. The $2,711,368 in revenue generated in the 2024–2025 tax year represents about 14.5% of the total for that year.

Tax revenue has helped pay for important infrastructure projects, including 30 bridge replacements, 20 miles of road paving, motor graders, a tractor and a dump truck, as well as dam repairs, nature center improvements, watershed projects and fishing habitat structures.

The turbines also provide additional income for farmers through land-lease agreements with wind turbine developers.

The revenue and the projects it supports have been helpful to the rural county, which saw a 10-year population decline from 9,566 to 9,469 between 2010 and 2020. Despite the drop, the county boasts the third lowest general tax rate in the state.