Research Reveals Wind and Solar Energy Can Boost Rural Economies
New research from the University of Missouri's Center for Rural Energy Security indicates that wind and solar farms can significantly contribute to the economic growth of rural communities. Mizzou economist Adrienne Ohler, the lead researcher, analyzed economic factors in counties with renewable power plants compared to those without, spanning from 2001 to 2023. The study found that solar energy development in rural counties led to 10-20 percent increases in employment and wages within the utilities, construction, and transportation sectors. Communities hosting wind energy infrastructure experienced an approximate 7 percent increase in gross domestic product (GDP). Ohler noted that large-scale wind and solar power plants are predominantly located in rural areas, with 70 percent of large-scale solar and 94 percent of wind farms built on cropland. The report also clarified that neither wind nor solar development was associated with declining agricultural GDP, employment, or wages, suggesting no substantial n... 
