Performance Services, a wind energy developer from Indianapolis, has met with area landowners on at least four occasions in the past two months to discuss a project which could possibly be located in a targeted wind area in the county.

According to a press release from Carroll County Economic Development Director Daryl Smith, the visits are a component of the process to determine if there is enough interest from landowners to make a project feasible for them in Carroll County.

“Companies need to see if they have landowner support before they can continue,” Smith explained. “It would be a good sign for us if this company asks to start talks with county officials. This would mean we are under serious consideration.”

According to Performance Solutions representatives, the wind generators would be owned and operated by school districts across the state, but not necessarily those in Carroll County, after roughly five years after construction.

County commissioner Pat Clawson, who is the commissioner’s representative on the EDC board of directors, encouraged residents to fully understand the process needed before any company builds wind turbines in Carroll County. He said what Performance Solutions is doing right now “is a very preliminary step” in any possible development plan. He said the company must guage landowner support for its proposed project before approaching county leaders.

The subject was broached by a landowner at the Monday morning county commissioners’ meeting. Clawson said during the meeting that the commissioners “have not thrown their support” to the project at this time. He said that although there was an executive session held two weeks ago in which company representatives presented in- formation, the county did not enter into formal negotiations with them and there have been no “deals” made. He said it would be incorrect for anyone to assume that anything more than guaging landowners’ support has been accomplished at this point.

“I think the Carroll County Commissioners are looking for the very best deal for our county,” he concluded.