A $600 million, 300-megawatt solar project in Lonoke and Pulaski counties is one step closer to reality.

On Aug. 15, county records show, Lonoke County Judge Doug Erwin approved an up to $700 million taxable industrial development revenue bond that will facilitate a payment in lieu of taxes agreement with the solar project's developer. That agreement is set to generate more than $55 million for the two counties over the next 50 years.

The agreement comes as the mayor of Keo has publicly called on the developer to enter into a community benefits agreement with the city, seeking monetary support for infrastructure and community-building projects in Keo.

The proposed project, called the Downstream Solar Energy Center, will be just north of Keo, between Arkansas 161 and U.S. 165. It will ta

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