Tipton County wants to be renewable energy leader

President Obama announced new funding over the weekend for a solar energy company that plans to take over a vacant factory in Tipton, Indiana.

Local leaders are excited about the prospect of new jobs to the area devastated when Chrysler supplier Getrag stopped construction back in 2008. The factory had been planned as a 1400-worker transmission facility. Now, Colorado-based Abound Solar plans to create at 850 jobs.

The president announced Abound Solar would receive $400 million in federal loan guarantees for the Tipton plant, along with another site in Colorado.


Tipton County Commissioner Jane Harper said the company's plans to make solar energy panels, along with wind farms planned in Tipton County will make it known as a renewable energy capital.