Letter: EDC voices concern with Halstead ballot measure
The Harvey County Economic Development Executive Committee has concerns regarding the proposed ordinance restricting Tier 2 and Tier 3 battery energy storage systems (BESS) that the City of Halstead is currently considering.
If this ordinance passes, it will close the door to potential opportunities before the community has the chance to fully understand what those opportunities might bring. The City of Halstead should continue to promote an open for business mindset—one that encourages exploration, due diligence, and decision-making based on the facts and merits of each individual project.
Technology in this sector is advancing rapidly, and new innovations are constantly emerging. By remaining open to these changes, Halstead positions itself to benefit from the growth and investment that come with forward-looking industries.
Harvey County communities are deeply interconnected, and what benefits one community often benefits us all. Unfortunately, that same interconnectivity can also have negative effects, as seen in the ongoing BESS discussion. Thoughtful discussion is a natural part of community growth, but how those discussions are managed has lasting consequences—both for future projects across all sectors and for the perception of our communities as business-friendly environments. Site selection decisions often begin long before a company ever reaches out; they begin with a simple online search.
We urge Halstead residents who care deeply about their community to consider the long-term implications of this ordinance and to vote no. The most recent BESS project proposal is no longer active, and it is unlikely that similar opportunities will present themselves soon. This vote is not just about energy storage, it is about how Halstead, and by extension Harvey County, is viewed by potential investors and employers, and about preserving opportunities for future industrial growth.
Good things are happening throughout Harvey County, and Halstead remains an important and valued part of that success.
Respectfully,
The Harvey County Economic Development Executive Committee