Struggling to stretch every dollar, a growing number of Prairie State schools have turned their attention to wind power over the past year as a way to curb energy costs. Aside from spurring some interesting collaborations (Wind for Illinois Schools is one good example), forward thinking education officials have helped shape the emerging wind agenda in the state legislature. In central Illinois, this strategy is paying off big time.

The Pantagraph reported last week that millions of new dollars are being added to local tax rolls -- and ultimately school district budgets -- as a growing number of new wind farms take flight.

As far as Colfax Superintendent Larry Dodds is concerned, the money couldn't come at a better time. While the state has  become less reliable at paying its bills on time, the wind-related revenue has offered his McClean County district "something to fall back on," he says.

Soon the money will amount to more than just a cushion. Next year, the district is positioned to collect $1.7 million in revenue from the new Horizon Wind Energy's Twin Groves Wind Farm. In 2013, turbines are projected to generate another $2.4 million. That's a sizeable chunk of change for the modest district, which operated on an $8.8 million budget last year.

Encouragingly, other wind projects -- like the White Oak Energy Center -- are also sprouting up around the state. The Pantagraph has more:

Jim Gillmeister, chief financial officer for Unit 5 school district, said the 100 turbines could bring $815,000 a year in tax revenue for Unit 5, which serves school children in the area. Wind companies pay between $12,000 and $16,000 in taxes per turbine annually.

Under the current development plan, the first tax revenue would be available in 2011, Gillmeister said.

And with some new key wind-development legislation now signed into law, more good news may be on the horizon.

Image used under a Creative Commons license by Flickr user Thomas.Merton.