The Friends of the New Animal Shelter are cashing in a $100,000 donation from the North Kent Wind Project.
The $2.3-million animal shelter in Chatham is currently under construction and is expected to open in the spring of 2019.
North Kent Wind Project ribbon cutting. (Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent).
Officials with the North Kent Wind Project celebrated its official opening last week with the donation, adding it was a way of commemorating the event. The project -- which consists of 34 Siemens turbines -- has been operational since the spring.
The wind energy project is owned by Samsung, Pattern Energy Group, and Walpole Island, however, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent also owns 15 per cent equity interest through Entegrus.
Janet MacBeth said in a statement that Walpole Island is an owner because of the project’s environmental benefits. That sentiment was shared by Mayor Randy Hope, who called the project a step towards combating climate change.
The North Kent Wind Project is expected to produce enough energy to power 35,000 homes and generate $250,000 in local property taxes annually.