Wind energy was introduced in Iowa in the early 2000s, and many counties have since benefited from that development, including Howard County.
To study the impact on Howard County, Center for Rural Affairs staff interviewed local leaders, farmers, and county officials about contributions to the broader community since the introduction of wind turbines in 2008.
Today, the Center published “Direct Impact of Wind Energy Development in Howard County,” a case study detailing financial benefits to public services, perspectives of local public officials and leaders, and the experiences of farmers on their operations.
“Many county officials and residents in Iowa are considering updates to zoning standards for wind energy and working out how to strike a balance that still allows communities to capture the benefits of renewable energy,” said Alex Delworth, senior policy associate with the Center for Rural Affairs. “Case studies such as this one provide a clearer picture into what that development has meant for other counties with a history of development.”
Howard County hosts around 150 turbines, and in 2024 the turbines provided more than $2.7 million in tax revenue to the county, or 15% of total revenues. Since 2010, through a special financing method, the county has been able to distribute more than $24 million worth of funds for bridges, roads, public parks, and conservation projects at no extra cost to county residents.
“These funds have been pivotal in several cases,” said Delworth. “According to the county engineer, the funds doubled the amount of bridges they were able to complete, and it was the difference between closing some bridges and bonding out others, which would have fallen on residents to pay for.”
Local farmers also receive land-lease payments for turbines on their property. According to the Howard County Farm Bureau President, that additional money has been used to reinvest in farming operations.
The case study showcases the wind development from the perspective of the stakeholders most closely associated with the projects in Howard County.
“We hope this can be an example for other counties to look toward as they consider an established Iowa industry,” said Delworth.
