Creating the map has been a process months in the making as the commissioners met with township trustees for input on which areas renewable energy development could be done in Allen County. The map is also a result of Senate Bill 52, which has given more control to local authorities to figure out if their county is open for business to wind and solar industries.

Commissioners are currently preparing for a meeting over the contents of Senate Bill 52. Senate Bill 52 would give more power to local authorities in communities that could have wind and solar projects.

The bill, once it becomes law, will allow commissioners to adopt resolutions to make designations in unincorporated parts of their county, and can restrict those areas so that solar and wind projects can't be built there. The Allen County commissioners plan to work with local trustees about what they would like to see done in their townships as part of this new law.