GRADY COUNTY, Ga. (WCTV) - In a packed meeting that stretched just over an hour Thursday evening, the Grady County Board of Commissioners considered whether they should extend a moratorium on solar farm permits.

Commissioners held the public hearing to consider extending their 30-day moratorium for solar farm permits. Many residents at the meeting asked for a longer pause before the county moves forward.

“They are unsightly, but it’s bigger than that,” one resident said at the meeting. “When you become a grandparent, you stop thinking about what is convenient today and think about what’s important for tomorrow.”

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While some opposed solar farms, others felt it could usher in new opportunities for the county and bring more money.

“The tax revenue that would be generated for Grady County is too good of an opportunity to pass by,” another Grady County resident said. “I love farmland, but I also love electricity. Farmland has been disappearing fast, but it’s not solar panels that’re taking it.”

The solar farm developers presented and answered questions at the meeting about possible environmental and economic impacts they may see.

Silicon Ranch says they plan to continue to provide transparency and share data.

County officials say the current moratorium is set to expire in February. After gathering more information, the board is hoping to make its decision on an extension at the next meeting on Feb. 3.

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