To the Editor:

I must respond to the two “Your Turn” comments in this past week’s newspaper. Soon after I took the position of Marion Economic Development Director, I was intrigued with the possibility of a municipal electrical generation plant. Seeing no administrative roadblocks to continue, I researched the efficacy of this proposal. After determining our peak and off-peak demand, it was determined three, 18V 32/40 engine/generator sets were required.

The price of these three units is more than $20 million. Building, infrastructure, sub-station, and support equipment would most likely push the total project in excess of $40 million. Now, I’m not saying when or even if this would happen, but a little perspective is necessary when comparing this cost to other projects mentioned in the article.

The bicycle trail can be accessed now — anytime. A new community center could double as a movie theatre, and an extreme remodeling estimate of $250,000 still is just 0.00625 of the cost of electrical generation. The proposed teen center is trying to raise $30,000. This is 0.00075 of a new electrical generation plant. To put that in perspective, if a youth center costs $100, electrical generation could cost more than $133,000. With that kind of investment, instead of just encouraging energy generation, let’s encourage and energize the next generation.

Doug Kjellin
Economic Development Director
City of Marion