KEO, Ark. — A $600 million solar energy project set to span more than 6,000 acres across Pulaski and Lonoke counties is moving forward, but the mayor of Keo says the small city is being overlooked in the process.

The Downstream Solar Energy Center, being developed by Chicago-based Invenergy, is expected to generate 300 megawatts of power—enough to serve roughly 69,000 homes—and bring more than $55 million in tax revenue over the next 50 years through a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement. However, Keo Mayor Stephanie White says the city, located closest to the development site, is being left out of the benefits.

“There was no discussion ahead of time,” White said in an interview. “They didn’t know about this last month when I presented to them. They had no idea the project was com

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