(Editor’s Note: Each year, Arkansas Business partners with the Arkansas Municipal League to present the Trendsetter City awards, which recognize exceptional initiatives underway in municipalities across the state. Large, medium and small-sized cities were honored in six categories: Diversity and Inclusion; Education/Workforce Development; Infrastructure and Water; Public Works/Environmental and Green Management; Technology and Security; and Tourism Development/Creative Culture. Below is one winner’s story. For more, click here.)
Public Works/Environmental and Green Management
Winner • Under 5,000
Population: 3,176 | Mayor: Daniel Rogers | County: Logan | Region: Northwest
The Challenge
Keeping the cost of living reasonable and attracting enough economic development can be difficult. Keeping the environment healthy, especially when looking out for a whole city, can be even harder. The town of Paris, however, is making a name for itself as a renewable city. Taking into question how to keep the city at livable prices while working toward a positive impact on the environment, Paris decided to start their efforts with electricity.
Paris buys the power from the solar farm at a fixed price of $0.0468/kWh.
The Solution
Paris partnered with Today’s Power to produce citizens’ electricity via a solar farm. Now, green energy fuels 7% of the city’s electricity and over 50% of city-owned structures like water and sewer plants, parks and streetlights. The city saves around $65,000 annually, lowering the cost of living for its citizens. Paris has a 20-year agreement with Today’s Power and is expected to save around $1.3 million in city costs.
Passing it On
Schools and nonprofits can tour the solar farm to learn about green energy.
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