Exhibit F - Socioeconomic Report by Doug Herling

Socioeconomic Report

Crossroads Solar Grazing Center

Cardington, Lincoln, and Westfield Townships, Morrow County, Ohio

Prepared for:

Crossroads Solar I, LLC 1105 Navasota Street Austin, TX 78702

Contact: Craig Adair, Vice President, Development (512) 297-6611 craig@openroadrenewables.com

Prepared by:

Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Engineering & Environmental Services, D.P.C. 5 E Long Street, Suite 700 Columbus, OH 43215 www.edrdpc.com July 2025

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

On behalf of Crossroads Solar I, LLC (the Applicant), Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Engineering & Environmental Services, D.P.C. (EDR) prepared this Socioeconomic Report for the proposed Crossroads Solar Grazing Center, a combined utility-scale solar energy and sheep grazing facility in Cardington, Lincoln, and Westfield Townships in Morrow County, Ohio (the Facility). The Facility will use rows of ground-mounted solar panels to supply up to 94 megawatts (MW) of wholesale power to the existing electric grid while also providing pasture for livestock. All the Facility’s above-ground infrastructure will be located within agricultural-style fences, which also will confine the livestock and protect them from predators. This report was developed in support of the Applicant’s submittal (the Application) for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (the Certificate). Facility construction is anticipated to begin as early as 2027. A full description of the Facility components (photovoltaic panels, electrical collection lines, access roads, etc.) can be found in the Certificate Application.

This report describes an assessment of the potential statewide employment and economic impacts of the Facility and potential regional development impacts within a 5-mile radius of the Facility (the Study Area). Regional socioeconomic conditions and population trends were evaluated in relation to the potential employment, earnings, and overall economic output of the Facility.

The employment and economic impacts of the Facility were assessed using the Jobs and Economic Development Impacts (JEDI) photovoltaics model (version PV05.20.21), a model established by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Estimates derived from the JEDI model show that Facility construction could support approximately 305 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs statewide, with total earnings of approximately $22.2 million. The operation and maintenance (O&M) of the Facility is estimated to support an additional 6 FTE jobs statewide annually, with total annual earnings of approximately $400,000 The Applicant intends to hire local laborers to the extent that there are qualified individuals available in the area. Facility construction is estimated to add a total value of $44.6 million in onsite and offsite industrial production and induced benefits in the statewide economy. O&M associated with the Facility is estimated to add $1.0 million annually in economic output to the statewide economy through the life of the Facility.

The Facility will increase revenues for local taxing jurisdictions, either through a payment-in-lieu of tax (PILOT) agreement, which would be anticipated to total $846,000 annually for the lifespan of the Facility, or through the payment of property taxes. In addition, participating landowners will receive land lease payments, which will have a positive impact on the region, to the extent that landowners spend the payments locally. The Facility will not impose significant additional burdens on local services and thus is not expected to increase costs to the communities in the region.

These estimates suggest that construction and operation of the Facility will have a positive economic impact statewide and on the communities within the Study Area. Through job creation and resulting induced impacts, supply chain impacts, lease payments to private landowners, and PILOT or tax payments to local taxing jurisdictions, the Facility will benefit the economy without requiring significant services or expenditures by local communities

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This report describes an assessment of the potential socioeconomic impacts of the proposed Facility on four villages, 10 townships and three counties within a 5-mile radius of the Facility (Study Area; Figure 1). Regional socioeconomic conditions and population trends are evaluated as well as potential employment, earnings, and overall economic output of the Facility.

This report was prepared to address the portions of Ohio Administrative Code 4906-04-06(B), 4906-0406(C), 4906-04-06(D), and 4906-04-08(C)(4) related to the economic impact of the Facility Section 2.0 of this report presents a socioeconomic profile of the Study Area and Ohio, using population trends, projected population change, and civilian labor force data. Section 3.0 reviews potential Facility impacts to regional development, including housing demand, commercial and industrial employment, and an overview of comprehensive plans from communities within the Study Area Section 4.0 describes the methods of analyzing potential economic benefits, including an overview of the JEDI model. The results of the JEDI model are presented in Section 5.0 , which describes the jobs created by the construction and operation of the Facility, as well as a summary of payments to landowners as a result of land leases. Section 6.0 reviews the potential revenue impacts of the Facility for local taxing jurisdictions.

2.0 SOCIOECONOMIC PROFILE

This section presents a socioeconomic profile of the Study Area and Ohio, using population data, projected population change, and civilian labor force data.

2.1 Population

The facility will be located in Cardington, Lincoln, and Westfield Townships, located approximately 12 miles southeast of Marion City and 14 miles northeast of the City of Delaware (Figure 1). The nearest major urban area is Columbus, the center of which is located approximately 35 miles south of the Facility (Figure 2). Regionally, as indicated in Table 1, Delaware County experienced a moderate population increase between 2010 and 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The populations of Marion County and Morrow County remained relatively stable over this time period with an average annual decrease of 0.2% and increase of 0.1%, respectively. At a local level, most communities within the 5-mile Study Area have a declining population The Village of Cardington, Oxford Township, Cardington Township, Gilead Township, Peru Township, and Harmony Township are declining slowly at a rate lower than -0.6%, while the Village of Edison, the Village of Mount Gilead, and Westfield Township are declining somewhat faster with average annual declines of 1.5%, 1.6%, 1.8% Canaan Township, Richland Township, and the Village of Futon have experienced the highest annual population increase rates among the study area at 3.1%, 1.6%, and 3.0%. The Village of Ashley, Bennington Township, and Lincoln Township are experiencing slower growth at annual increases of 0.7%, 0.5%, and 0.1% respectively.

Future population projections in Table 1 are based upon calculated growth rates from the 2010 and 2023 population values. Based on these projections, Delaware County is expected to continue the overall trend of population increase over the next 10 years, while Marion County is expected to decrease. The population of Morrow County is projected to increase, although the majority of the communities located within the Study Area are projected to decrease (Table 1). Population density within the Study Area varies widely, though the majority of Study Area communities exhibit densities of under 150 people per square mile The villages of Ashley, Edison, and Fulton, and Westfield Township are exceptions to this, all having densities of greater than 2,000 people per square mile due to their relatively small areas.

Table 1: Population

Source: Decennial Census (U.S. Census Bureau 2010), ACS 5-year estimates (U.S. Census Bureau 2019-2023), population projections based on respective 2010-2023 growth rates Tables S0101 and P001.

Although employment related to construction of the Facility will be substantial, it is relatively short-term and not expected to result in the permanent relocation of construction workers to the area; therefore, the Facility is not anticipated to generate population growth within the Study Area. The labor force and potential labor impacts associated with construction and operation of the Facility are discussed in further detail below.

2.2 Employment

Table 2 details unemployment trends in Ohio, Delaware County, Marion County, and Morrow County. Annual average unemployment rates have decreased both statewide and county-wide from 2021 to 2024. However, unemployment rates statewide and in the Study Area counties increased from 2023 to 2024 Statewide employment and payroll by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) sector for 2023 are provided in Table 3

Table 2: Labor Force and Unemployment

Note: Not seasonally adjusted

Source: Local Area Unemployment Statistics (BLS 2021-2024)

Table 3: Employment and Payroll by NAICS Sector in Ohio

Source: Quarterly Census of

Employment related to construction of the Facility will be relatively short-term and is not expected to result in permanent impacts in comparison to current employment and payroll for related statewide employment sectors (e.g., construction and manufacturing), as shown in Table 3. Permanent jobs related to O&M of the Facility include onsite labor and indirect jobs created through increased revenues, supply chains, and induced impacts. The level of job creation is not anticipated to be significant in comparison to current employment and payroll for related employment sectors (e.g., administrative services and accommodation/food services), as shown in Table 3. Therefore, the Facility is not anticipated to have a significant impact on statewide industrial sectors during construction or operation. The short- and longterm employment opportunities associated with the construction and operation of the Facility are discussed in further detail in Section 5.0.

3.0 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IMPACTS

The region surrounding the Facility is predominantly rural, characterized by cropland, pasture, and sections of forested land. The top five industries in Morrow County, based on number of employees, are Health Care and Social Assistance, Manufacturing, Retail Trade, Construction, and Administrative and Waste Management Services (U.S. Census Bureau 2023a). While not reflected in employment numbers, agriculture has a rich presence in Morrow County, with 821 farms accounting for 55% of the land in Morrow County (United States Department of Agriculture 2022) Future economic development is guided by the Morrow County Economic Development Strategic Plan, aiming to capitalize on growth in nearby regions and incentivize new businesses and residents within Morrow County, while retaining the current rural atmosphere (The Montrose Group, LLC 2022) Top employers in Morrow County include Baillie, Lubrication Specialties Inc., Dollar Tree, and Cardington Yutaka Technologies Inc. (The Columbus Region n.d. a).

While the Facility is located in Morrow County, the Study Area overlaps the boundaries of Marion and Delaware counties Marion County is located west of the Facility and supports an economy comprised primarily of Manufacturing and Health Care and Social Assistance industries (U.S. Census Bureau 2023b). Marion County is home to the Marion Industrial Center, a large logistics and intermodal freight transport facility (The Columbus Region n.d. b) The second county, located south of the Facility, is Delaware County The economy is dominated by the Health Care and Social Assistance industry (U.S. Census Bureau 2023c). Delaware County’s top employers include JP Morgan Chase, DHL, and McGraw Hill, and it hosts three higher education institutions (The Columbus Region n.d. c)

As discussed in further detail below, the Facility is compatible with regional developmental goals and plans and is not expected to have adverse impacts to regional housing, commercial and industrial development, or transportation.

3.1 Housing

Among the counties within the Study Area, Delaware County’s median housing value and median gross rent are well above the statewide value. Morrow County’s median housing value is slightly higher than the statewide value, while median gross rent is slightly below. Both values for Marion County are below the statewide values. At a local scale, only four of the 12 jurisdictions in Morrow County have a higher median housing value than the statewide value, being Bennington, Canaan, Harmony, and Peru townships Only Harmony and Lincoln townships have higher than the statewide median gross rent, and no village in the Study Area is higher than the statewide median housing value or median gross rent. Oxford Township in Delaware County and Richland Township in Marion County are both higher than the statewide median housing value, but have insufficient median rent data. There are 7,783 vacant housing units within the Study Area counties, 1,906 of which occur within the Study Area communities (Table 4). Given these figures, it is not expected that the development of the Facility will have a significant impact on the regional housing market. While the Facility development may not represent a widespread boom for rental property owners, it is worth noting that the availability of vacant rental housing throughout the Study Area indicates that the Facility should not have a destabilizing effect on current rental properties.

Table 4: Study Area Housing Characteristics

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau 2019-2023) (x)=data unavailable. Table DP04.

Note: The U.S. Census Bureau defines vacant housing as a housing unit with no one living in it at the time of the census. Vacancy rate, on the other hand, is defined as the percent of total housing units that are vacant while also being for rent or for sale (U.S. Census Bureau 2021). Therefore, housing units may be classified as vacant and not contribute towards a community’s vacancy rate.

3.2 Commercial and Industrial Activities

As of the fourth quarter of 2024 Ohio ranked 13th among states in the U.S. for installed solar capacity. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) reported that Ohio had 4,715.89 MW of installed solar capacity, with $6.3 billion of total solar investment and approximately $3 billion of that invested in 2024. The SEIA projects that Ohio’s installed solar capacity will grow to 8,484.57 MW by 2029 (SEIA 2025)

The SEIA estimates that Ohio is currently home to 223 companies providing jobs in the solar industry, including 84 manufacturers, 60 installers/developers, and 79 other solar organizations (SEIA 2025). The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) reports in the National Solar Jobs Census 2023 that Ohio ranked 9th among U.S. states for solar jobs, with 7,788 workers in the solar industry (IREC 2024). Ohio solar jobs increased by nearly 14% in 2021, another 1.0% in 2022, and another 4% in 2023. This represents a significant rebound from the 10% decrease in Ohio solar jobs reported in 2020, primarily because of economic disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent job growth reported in Ohio reflects national

trends of post-pandemic economic recovery, as solar firms, in light of declining COVID-19 concerns, were able to reopen and grow. Ohio’s 5-year average solar job growth rate remains high at 8.7% (IREC 2024) In 2022, supply chain constraints and trade disputes reduced availability of parts and raised prices, contributing to a decline in utility-scale solar installations. However, in 2023, as some of these challenges eased, installations more than doubled. (IREC 2024) In 2024, a nearly 190% growth in U.S. solar manufacturing has increased module availability and alleviated some supply chain disruptions, but policy uncertainties, tariffs and permitting delays remain challenges for new solar development (SEIA 2025)

Many of the state’s plastic and glass manufacturers have taken advantage of the growing demand for solar by becoming suppliers of these components and equipment. Furthermore, there is tremendous capacity for growth due to an established manufacturing base and trained workforce, central location and reliable transportation infrastructure, and a diverse array of research centers and technical advisory services (Environmental Law & Policy Center 2016).

The State of Ohio has developed a renewable energy portfolio requirement, applicable to entities that provide electricity to retail customers (Ohio Revised Code 4928.64). The requirement calls for annually increasing percentages of renewable energy, with a goal of 8.5% renewable energy by 2026. Development of the proposed Facility is compatible with that goal. In 2023, 4% of Ohio’s in-state electricity generation was supplied by renewable energy sources. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, consumer-sited solar panel systems and utility-scale solar generation accounted for 32% of Ohio's total renewable energy portfolio in 2023 (U.S. Energy Information Administration 2024)

Impacts across commercial and industrial supply chains as a result of Facility development are described in Section 5.0 of this report. Specifically, an estimate of the Facility’s impact on statewide commercial and industrial activities is provided in Table 7 as “Module and Supply Chain Impacts” and “Revenue and Supply Chain Impacts.” The Facility’s estimated economic impact on commercial and industrial activities is $18.0 million and $0.5 million for the Facility construction and annual operations phases, respectively. An explanation of this type of impact, referred to in this analysis as indirect impacts, is provided in Section 4.1. The construction and operation of the Facility is estimated to generate positive economic impacts for the State of Ohio through the commercial and industrial supply chains. Furthermore, construction of the Facility is expected to have a positive economic impact on commercial and industrial activities within the local central Ohio region 1 Based on information from the Applicant, the Facility’s estimated economic impact on commercial and industrial activities within the local central Ohio region, as a subset of the statewide impacts, is approximately $5.4 million during the construction phase and approximately $0.1 million annually during the operations phase. Induced impacts are also expected to result in positive economic impacts for the central Ohio region and include spending of earned income on categories such as household goods, entertainment, food, clothing, and transportation. A full explanation of induced impacts is provided in Section 4.1.

1 For the purposes of this report, the central Ohio region has been defined as the area encompassed by Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Knox, Licking, Logan, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway, and Union counties.

3.3 Local and Regional Plans

The Facility will be in Cardington, Lincoln, and Westfield Townships in Morrow County, Ohio. A total of three counties, 10 townships and five villages are within the 5-mile Study Area. Available plans within these jurisdictions are summarized as follows

3.4.1 Morrow County Comprehensive Land Use Plan, 2012

The Morrow County Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2012 was developed to guide the future of the county’s growth and development and sets out a variety of recommendations for the future The plan aims to encourage economic development by incentivizing new businesses to locate within Morrow County, and states the goal of attracting a community college or other post-secondary institution to the area According to the plan, preservation of farmland is important to Morrow County, so that future generations can continue to contribute to the area’s history of agricultural use. The land occupied by the Facility will not be removed from agricultural use during the Facility’s lifetime, as sheep grazing and lamb production will occur onsite, as described in Section 3.5 of this report. Furthermore, unlike other forms of development on farmland, the land utilized to host the Facility will be fully decommissioned and can be returned to row crop cultivation, if the landowner chooses.

Other forms of development can permanently convert farmland to commercial or residential uses, eliminating the possibility that the land could return to active agricultural use. The comprehensive plan discusses wind energy as a potential land use for future energy development The plan recommends utility development be designed in coordination with existing utility companies and villages for efficient land use, with long-term planning principals of the plan suggesting the strengthening of the local electric grid. The comprehensive plan also discusses goals of protecting the natural resources of the county such as groundwater and soil health with environmentally sound development (Morrow County Board of Commissioners 2012). A review of publicly available documents identified no comprehensive plans for the townships or villages within Morrow County.

3.4.2 Marion County 2011 Land Use Plan

Marion County’s land use plan reflects on past growth trends and previous plans to help guide future development within the county. According to the plan, agriculture makes up a large part of the county’s land use, and the plan recommends preserving farmland resources The plan acknowledges that development in wetlands is occurring throughout the county, and states that the goal of the county is to minimize impacts on existing drainage patterns Marion County is looking toward urban development, anticipating increased population growth and promoting residential land use. Commercial and industrial land use needs are anticipated to be met by the current zoning allowances, and future development is guided by prioritizing smart development that will not be costly in the future (Marion County Regional Planning Commission 2011) The Facility is not proposed to be located within Marion County and is not expected to impact the goals of this plan.

3.4.3 Oxford Township Comprehensive Plan

Oxford Township, located in Delaware County, Ohio, developed the Oxford Township Comprehensive Plan to discuss goals for smart growth to preserve agricultural land for farming use, reduce development sprawl, and ensure economic stability for residents. (Delaware County Regional Planning Commission 2006). The Facility is not proposed to be located within Oxford Township and is not expected to impact development goals within the township or Delaware County

3.4.4 Village of Ashley, Ohio 2005 Comprehensive Plan

The Village of Ashley, Ohio 2005 Comprehensive Plan was developed to guide development and growth within the community. Located in Delaware County, the Village of Ashley describes itself in this plan as having a small town, rural and historical character The goals of the comprehensive plan are centered on improving residential development and economic development to ensure a stable rate of growth that does not displace current residents. The plan also states that it is a priority to protect the town’s natural resources, encouraging efficient use of resources and development of land areas (Delaware County Regional Planning Commission 2005) The Facility is not proposed to be located in the Village of Ashley.

3.4 Concurrent or Secondary Uses

The Applicant has plans for dual solar-agricultural use of the Facility, with sheep grazing as the primary means of vegetation control. Further information on anticipated grazing activities onsite is provided in Section 5.4, the Vegetation Management Plan, and the Preliminary Grazing Plan included with the Certificate Application. The public will be prohibited from entering the Facility, which will be enclosed by agriculturalstyle perimeter fencing. On occasion, guided tours of the Facility by qualified personnel may allow designated members of the public to enter one or more of the solar fields for limited periods of time. Additionally, “no entry” and “high-voltage equipment” warning signs will be displayed around the Facility.

3.5 Current Agricultural Use

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) publishes annual updates of the Cropland Data Layer The Cropland Data Layer is a nationwide, crop-specific dataset created using satellite imagery and agricultural ground truthing (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service 2024d). One of the layers produced annually as a part of the Cropland Data Layer identifies cultivated areas using the last five years of Cropland Data. Areas are classified as cultivated if they were listed as cultivated for at least two of the previous five years or if they were listed as cultivated in the most recent Cropland dataset.

According to the 2024 Cropland Data Layer, cultivated area dataset, approximately 50.4% of the land area of Morrow County was classified as cultivated. As shown in Table 5, cultivated areas within the Facility fenceline make up only 0.4% of the county’s cultivated area. At a local level, the Facility fenceline contains 0.8% of the total cultivated area of Cardington Township, 2.7% of the cultivated area of Lincoln Township, and 1.9% of the cultivated area of Westfield Township.

Table 5: Cultivated Land Area in Morrow County and Project Fenceline

Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service 2024 10m Cultivated Layer (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service 2024c)

In 2024, the top crops in Morrow County were soybeans and corn, which is reflected within the Facility fenceline. According to Cropland data, 95% of the area within the Facility fenceline was used to cultivate soybeans during the 2024 growing season (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service 2024b). Only 0.3% of the area within the fenceline area was used for corn, and 1.9% was used for alfalfa

In 2023, the price of soybeans in Ohio was approximately $12.50/bushel (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service 2023a). Given Morrow County’s 2023 yield of 57.1 bushels/acre (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service 2023e), using an elevated estimate of 600 acres to be occupied by the facility, and assuming that 100% of that 600-acre area was cultivated for soybeans, the sales revenue from a year’s production would be approximately $428,250. An elevated estimate of 600 acres was used in place of the approximately 560-acre fenced area described above to avoid understating the sales revenue of crop production in the Facility’s footprint. Soybeans were the dominant crop within the fenceline area, and due to the small amounts of other crops, soybeans were assumed to be grown for the 600-acre estimate.

4.0 MEASURING ECONOMIC IMPACTS

This section covers the methodology and inputs used in measuring the economic impacts of the project, including project cost data provided by the Applicant.

4.1

Defining Economic Impacts

Quantifying the economic impacts of the proposed Crossroads Solar Grazing Center is essential to understanding the potential benefits that the Facility could have on the statewide economy. Solar power development, like other commercial development projects, can expand the economy through both direct and indirect means. Income generated from direct employment during construction and operation of the Facility will subsequently be used to purchase local goods and services, creating a ripple effect throughout the economy.

4.1.1

Levels of Impact

This report analyzes three levels of impact that the proposed Facility may have on the economy, in total and separately during the construction and operation phases.

Onsite Labor Impacts

Onsite labor impacts include the direct labor impacts experienced by the companies/individuals residing in Ohio and engaged in construction and operation of the Facility. This value estimates the dollars spent on labor and professional services by project developers, consultants, construction contractors, and O&M personnel. Onsite labor impacts do not reflect material expenditures.

Module and Supply Chain Impacts

Module and supply chain impacts include the estimated increase in demand for goods and services in industry sectors that supply or otherwise support the companies engaged in construction and operation (also known as “backward-linked” industries). These measures account for the demand for goods and services such as project components, project analysis, legal services, financing, and insurance.

Induced Impacts

Induced impacts include the estimated effect of additional spending and reinvestment of the estimated increased household income resulting from the Facility. This reinvestment can occur anywhere within the economy, such as on household goods, entertainment, food, clothing, and transportation.

4.1.2

Indicators of Impact

Each of the three categories or levels of impact can be measured in terms of three indicators: jobs, earnings, and output. These indicators are described in further detail below.

Jobs

The increase in employment demand as a result of the development of the Facility is indicated by an estimated number of jobs created. These positions are measured across each level of impact, such that they capture the estimated number of jobs on site, in supporting industries, and in the businesses that benefit from household spending. For the purposes of this analysis, the term “jobs” refers to the total number of

year-long, full-time equivalent (FTE) positions created by the Facility. Persons employed for less than full time or less than a full year are included in this total, each representing a fraction of an FTE position (e.g., a half-time, year-round position is 0.5 FTE).

Earnings

Earnings indicate the estimated total amount, in U.S. dollars, of wages and salary compensation paid to the employees that would work in the jobs created by development of the Facility

Output

Output is an indicator of the value of industry production in the state or local economy, across all appropriate sectors, associated with each level of impact. For the manufacturing sector, output is calculated by total sales plus or minus changes in inventory. For the retail sector, output is equal to gross profit margin. For the service sector, it is equal to sales volume. For example, output includes the profits earned by those businesses that sell electrical transmission cable or motor vehicle fuel for use in the Facility

4.2 Methodology and Inputs

The employment and economic impacts of the Facility were assessed using the Jobs and Economic Development Impact (JEDI) photovoltaics model (version PV05.20.21). The JEDI model was created by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a government-owned, contractor-operated laboratory funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, to assess the economic impacts of proposed solar-powered electricity generating facilities during both the construction and operation phases (NREL 2020). This model allows users to estimate jobs, earnings, and economic output by impact level using Facility-specific data provided by the Applicant and geographically defined multipliers. These multipliers are produced by IMPLAN Group, LLC using a software/database system called IMPLAN (IMpact analysis for PLANning), a widely-used and widely-accepted general input-output modeling software and data system that tracks each unique industry group in every level of the regional data (IMPLAN Group 2020)

Preparing the JEDI model to generate estimates for the number of jobs and economic output from a proposed facility is a two-step process. The first step requires facility-specific data inputs. For the purposes of the JEDI model, the Applicant has assumed the following Facility-specific inputs:

• Project Location: State of Ohio

• Year of Construction: 2027

• System Application: Utility-Scale

• Capacity: 115 MWDC and 94 MWAC

• Module Material: Crystalline Silicon

• System Tracking: Single Axis

• Base Installed System Cost: $1,042/kWAC

• Annual direct O&M Cost: $10/kWAC

• Money Value (Dollar Year): 2025

Using this Facility-specific data, the JEDI model then creates a list of default values, which include project costs, default tax payments, and default statewide shares of costs. These default values are derived from

over 10 years of research by NREL, and stem from various sources, including interviews and surveys of leading project owners, developers, engineering and design firms, and construction firms active in the solar energy sector.

The second step of the JEDI model methodology requires the review, and if warranted, the customization of default project cost values to more specific estimates. The Applicant reviewed the default project cost values and statewide shares subtotaled by each of the JEDI model categories shown in Table 5, then made specific adjustments to improve accuracy

Table 6: Adjustments Made to JEDI Model Cost Inputs

Decrease

Construction - Other $16,322,787 $23,278,659 Increase

Operating/Maintenance (O&M) Labor

$688,080 $564,000 Decrease

Technician Employer Overhead

Source: JEDI model (NREL 2021) Cost values verified by the Applicant in February 2025

4.3 Construction Costs

No Change

In addition to the aforementioned construction costs specified as inputs for the JEDI analysis, the Applicant provided additional construction and development cost details.

4.3.1 Estimated Construction Costs by Alternative

The total estimated construction costs of the Facility are $97,881,659 or $1,041/kWAC. As described in Section 4906-4-04 of the Application, the Applicant has not proposed alternative project areas. Therefore, no cost comparison between alternatives is available

4.3.2

Cost Comparison with Similar Facilities

Installed project costs compiled by the U.S Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Laboratory) in October 2023 indicate that the capital costs of the Facility are lower than recent industry trends. The Berkeley Laboratory compilation shows that capacity-weighted average installed costs in 2023 averaged roughly $1,420/kWAC (Seel 2024)

By way of further comparison, a sample size of 20 solar facilities installed in 2023 with capacities from 100 to 500 MW had a median cost of around $1,290/kWAC (Seel 2024). These costs are higher than the average cost estimated for the Facility, which could be attributed to locational and system size differences

Furthermore, the utilization of project costs compiled in 2022 and 2023 represent real-world installations, as opposed to future projections. Recently, installed project costs for solar facilities have trended slightly downward, which is reflected by the estimated costs of the Facility. The estimated cost of the Facility is not anticipated to be substantially different from other Facilities completed by the Applicant

4.3.3 Present Worth and Annualized Capital Costs

Capital costs will include development costs, construction design and planning, equipment costs, and construction costs The costs will be incurred within a year or two of start of construction Therefore, a present worth analysis is essentially the same as the costs presented above ($97,881,659 or $1,041/kWAC). As alternative project areas and facilities were not considered in this Application, the capital cost information in this section is limited to the proposed Facility.

4.4 Operation and Maintenance Costs

In addition to the aforementioned O&M costs specified as inputs for the JEDI analysis, the Applicant provided additional O&M cost details

4.4.1 Estimated Annual Operation and Maintenance Expenses

For the first two years of commercial operation, O&M costs are estimated to be $940,000 per year

4.4.2 Operation and Maintenance Cost Comparisons

O&M costs are a significant component of the overall cost of solar projects but can vary widely between facilities The Berkeley Laboratory has compiled O&M cost data from 145 utilities that report utility-scale 2 solar O&M costs for plants that they own in the United States with commercial operation dates of 2012 through 2023 In general, facilities installed more recently have incurred lower O&M costs than those installed in 2012, though reductions in O&M costs have plateaued in the past couple years Specifically, capacity-weighted average O&M costs for projects constructed in 2012 were approximately $39/kWAC-year, and then decreased to $11/kWAC-year for projects constructed in 2023 (Seel 2024) According to the Berkeley Laboratory, this decrease could be the result of utility companies capturing economies of scale as their solar operations grow over time.

The O&M costs for the Facility are estimated to be approximately $10/kWAC-year, depending on the maturity of the project each year of its life cycle These estimated O&M costs exclude any other ongoing expenses related to environmental monitoring, property taxes, land royalties, and reverse power. These costs will be slightly lower than the average costs compiled by the Berkeley Laboratory, as described above The O&M costs for the Facility are not anticipated to be significantly different from other facilities the Applicant operates

2 The authors of this report considered “utility-scale” to be any project above 5 MWAC This Facility’s nameplate capacity is substantially larger.

4.4.3 Present Worth and Annualized Operation and Maintenance

The annual O&M costs will be subject to real and inflationary increases. Therefore, these costs are expected to increase with inflation after the first two years. The net present value of the O&M costs per kW, assuming a 40-year Facility life, inflation rate of 2%, and 7% discount rate, is approximately $174/KWAC The net present value of estimated O&M payroll is provided in Section 5.3. As alternative project areas and facilities were not considered in this Application, the O&M cost information in this section is limited to the Facility.

4.5 Cost of Delays

Monthly delay costs would depend on various factors. If the delay were to occur in the permitting stage, the losses would be associated with the time value of money resulting from a delay in the timing of revenue payments. These values can be subject to negotiation with potential counterparties and power purchase agreement discussions. If the delay were to occur during construction, costs would include lost construction days and those associated with idle crews and equipment. Attempting to prorate these costs would likely not provide an accurate estimate of the cost of delays, due to their highly specific and fluid nature.

5.0 ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS RESULTS

The JEDI model was utilized to estimate the potential economic impact of the Facility within Ohio. The results of the socioeconomic analysis, including the potential impact of the Facility on industries throughout the state, are provided in Table 6.

Table 7: Estimated Statewide Jobs and Economic Impact Analysis

Source: JEDI model (version PV05.20.21) (NREL 2021). Cost values verified by the Applicant in February 2025 Notes: Earnings and Output values are millions of dollars in 2025 dollars. Jobs are full-time equivalent for one year (1 FTE = 2,080 hours). Impact totals and subtotals are independently rounded, and therefore may not add up exactly to the totals shown in this table.

5.1 New Jobs in the Ohio Economy

Demand for new jobs associated with the Crossroads Solar Grazing Center will be created during both construction and operation Businesses involved in onsite Facility construction and operation, as well as those associated throughout the industrial supply chain, are expected to see a measurable increase in the demand for their services. The money injected into the statewide economy through the creation of these jobs will have long-term, positive benefits on individuals and businesses in Ohio through its induced economic impacts.

5.2 Statewide Economic Impact: Construction Phase

Based upon JEDI model computations, construction of the proposed Facility is estimated to directly generate 182 onsite construction and project development personnel FTE positions, with a projected wage rate of $23.69 per hour and 45.6% employer payroll overhead Module and supply chain industries are estimated to generate an additional 72 FTE jobs over the course of Facility construction In addition, Facility construction is estimated to induce demand for 51 FTE jobs through the induced spending of additional household income The total impact of 305 new jobs could result in up to approximately $22.2 million of earnings, assuming a 2027 construction start As noted in Section 4.3, construction phase costs will be incurred within a year or two of start of construction. Therefore, a present worth analysis of construction

payroll is essentially the same as the estimated construction jobs earnings presented in Table 7. Direct, onsite construction jobs are estimated to have a total payroll of approximately $13.8 million during the construction phase.

Facility construction will primarily benefit those in the construction trades, including laborers and electricians. Facility construction will also require workers with specialized skills, such as panel assemblers, specialized excavators, and electrical workers with high voltage experience. The Applicant intends to prioritize hiring local, county, and regional laborers to the extent qualified individuals are available and expects that a significant portion of the onsite construction FTE positions will be filled by laborers who reside in the central Ohio region. Additionally, in order to maximize the number of construction positions filled by workers from the region, the Applicant plans to host a local job fair informing the public about construction employment opportunities

The construction of the Facility is expected to have a positive impact on economic output, which is a measurement of the value of goods and services produced and sold by backward-linked industries. The value of economic output associated with construction of the Facility is estimated to be $44.6 million. Between workers’ additional household income and industries’ increased production, the impacts associated with the Facility are likely to be experienced throughout many different sectors of the statewide economy

5.3 Statewide Economic Impact: Operation and Maintenance Phase

Based upon JEDI model computations, the O&M of the proposed Facility is estimated to generate approximately 3 direct FTE jobs with estimated annual earnings of approximately $0.2 million. Wage rates for the direct operational employees are projected to be $49.77 per hour with 45.6% employer payroll overhead, higher than Ohio averages, estimated to be approximately $26.93 per hour for installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (BLS 2023). Assuming a 7% discount rate and a 2% inflation rate, the net present value of the O&M earnings through an assumed 40-year lifespan of the Facility is estimated to total approximately $4.0 million

The Applicant intends to prioritize hiring local, county, and regional laborers to the extent qualified individuals are available. The Applicant expects that most or all the onsite FTE positions generated by the Facility during annual operations would be filled by personnel who reside in the central Ohio region.

Facility O&M also should generate new jobs in other sectors of the economy through supply chain impacts and the expenditure of new and/or increased household earnings Increased employment demand throughout the supply chain is estimated to result in approximately 1.4 FTE jobs with annual earnings of approximately $0.1 million. In addition, it is estimated that 1.7 FTE jobs with associated annual earnings of $0.1 million will be induced through the increased household spending associated with Facility operations These impacts may include restaurant, hospitality, and other tourism-derived local spending from employees and visitors to the Facility. In total, while in operation, the Facility is estimated to generate demand for approximately 6 FTE jobs with annual earnings of approximately $0.4 million Total annual economic output is estimated to increase by $1.0 million as a result of Facility O&M

5.4 Estimated Impact of Current Agricultural Use

In order to provide a rough comparison of current agricultural activities to the estimated economic impact of the Facility, the IMPLAN multipliers utilized in the JEDI model can be used to provide a simple estimate of direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts of the current agricultural activity within the Facility fenceline. Table 8 shows these rough estimates based on the estimated value of crop production of $428,250 described previously in Section 3.6 and the IMPLAN multipliers utilized in the JEDI model. It should be noted that the economic impact of agricultural activities is the result of many factors, some of which are hyper-local and may vary greatly from one farmer to the next, or even one field to the next. The values shown in Table 8 are estimates based on publicly available data from the USDA and statewide IMPLAN multipliers and should not be considered a highly specific model of agricultural activities at the site of the Facility.

Table 8: Estimated Statewide Impact of Current Agricultural Activities within Facility Fenceline

Notes: Earnings and output values are millions of dollars in 2025 dollars. Jobs are full-time equivalent for one year (1 FTE = 2,080 hours). Impact totals and subtotals are independently rounded, and therefore may not add up exactly to the totals shown in this table.

After construction of the Facility is complete, the demand for new jobs as a result of O&M activities will persist throughout the lifetime of the Facility. Currently, it is estimated that approximately 4 direct, indirect, and induced FTE jobs result from the current agricultural cultivation within the Facility fenceline. This current number of jobs is lower than the approximately 6 jobs, shown in Table 7, which are estimated to result from the annual O&M of the Facility.

Furthermore, the Facility site will continue in agricultural use even as the Facility is operational, as the Applicant has plans for sheep grazing onsite. Based on information from the Applicant and the Applicant’s grazing contractor, the Facility site has the capacity to carry approximately 1,975 ewes, which would be anticipated to produce approximately 3,000 to 4,000 lambs annually. There are many factors that determine the value of a lamb at market, but the Applicant estimates that these lambs would be valued within the range of $450,000 to $800,000. According to the Applicant’s grazing contractor, these agricultural activities are anticipated to generate two full-time and one part time employment positions, in addition to the estimated O&M positions shown in Table 7. The grazing contractor anticipates that the full-time positions would have annual wages of approximately $40,000 to $60,000. Overall, the estimated Facility O&M jobs combined with the Applicant’s planned onsite sheep grazing activities are anticipated to have an annual economic impact greater in scale than the crop cultivation activities that currently occur at the Facility site.

5.5 Land Lease Payments

Land lease payments will be made to participating landowners through Facility lease agreements. These annual payments will offer direct benefits to participating landowners, in addition to any income generated from the surrounding land use (e.g , agricultural production) The Applicant estimates that these payments will total approximately $30.7 million over 40 years These lease payments will have a positive impact on the region, to the extent that landowners will spend their revenue locally.

6.0 LOCAL TAX REVENUES

In addition to the economic impacts discussed in the previous section, construction of the Facility is anticipated to result in a significant increase in tax revenue for the local taxing jurisdictions in which the Facility will be located.

6.1 Legislative Context

Solar energy projects in Ohio can be exempt from tangible personal property and real property tax payments if they meet certain conditions. These conditions are enumerated in Section 5727.75 of the Ohio Revised Code Operators of these exempt projects, known as qualified energy projects (QEP), are instead required to make annual payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT)

If a QEP is granted exemption from taxation for any of the tax years 2011 through the applicable year, the QEP will be exempt from taxation for the tax year following the applicable year and all ensuing years, as long as the property is placed into service before the first day of the year following the applicable year The amount of PILOT to be paid annually to the county treasurer is assessed per MW of nameplate capacity, at the rate of $7,000/MW County commissioners may require an additional service payment if the total of the additional payment and the PILOT does not exceed $9,000/MW.

6.2 Estimated Payments In Lieu Of Taxes

If the Applicant executes a PILOT agreement, annual PILOT payments to Morrow County will be required These funds would then be apportioned to tax entities in which the Facility is located. Based on the maximum Facility capacity of 94 MWAC and the maximum payment of $9,000/MW, the PILOT amount would total approximately $33,840,000 over an estimated 40-year Facility lifespan Based on an analysis provided by the Applicant, the PILOT payment would be divided amongst the following tax entities:

• Morrow County: $13,548,117

• Cardington Lincoln Local School District: $13,869,415

• Cardington Lincoln Public Library: $474,655

• Cardington Joint Recreation District: $142,396

• Delaware – Morrow Mental Health: $711,982

• Tri-Rivers Joint Vocational School District: $2,088,481

• Cardington Township: $557,565

• Lincoln Township: $674,481

• Westfield Township: $841,950

• Westfield – Elm Valley Joint Fire District: $930,956

If a PILOT agreement is not executed, then the Facility would pay property taxes in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The JEDI model analysis assumed that a PILOT agreement would not be executed. Based on an analysis provided by the Applicant, property tax payments would total approximately $11,494,938 over an estimated 40-year Facility lifespan and would be divided amongst the following tax entities:

• Morrow County: $ 2,632,706

• Cardington Lincoln Local School District: $6,057,298

• Cardington Lincoln Public Library: $207,300

• Cardington Joint Recreation District: $62,190

• Delaware – Morrow Mental Health: $310,950

• Tri-Rivers Joint Vocational School District: $912,119

• Cardington Township: $243,510

• Lincoln Township: $294,571

• Westfield Township: $367,711

• Westfield – Elm Valley Joint Fire District: $406,584

The Facility is expected to achieve commercial operation as early as 2028 and have a lifespan of approximately 40 years.

CONCLUSION

The analysis presented in this report indicates that the Facility is expected to have a positive impact statewide and on the communities within the Study Area. Lease payments, short- and long-term job creation, and PILOT or tax revenues will benefit private landowners, Facility employees, businesses, and taxing jurisdictions. The Facility is not expected to generate significant expenditures on for these beneficiaries; therefore, it will have a positive impact on the economic conditions of these communities, as summarized below

1. Total Statewide Economic Benefit: Construction of the Facility is expected to produce an estimated $22.2 million in employment earnings and $44.6 million in total economic output Subsequently, each year the Facility is operational, it is expected to generate approximately $400,000 in earnings and $1.0 million in total economic output.

2. Statewide Employment Benefits: During construction, the Facility is expected to support demand for a total estimate of 305 onsite, supply chain, and induced employment positions It is expected to support an estimated total of 6 positions during each year of its operation.

3. Land Lease Revenues: The Facility will result in approximately $30.7 million in total lease payments made to participating landowners over 40 years.

4. Concurrent Use of the Facility: The Applicant has plans for dual solar-agricultural use of the Facility, with sheep grazing as the primary means of vegetation control onsite. According to the Applicant’s grazing contractor, sheep grazing activities are anticipated to generate two full-time and one part time employment positions, in addition to the O&M positions estimated to be generated by the Facility. The direct economic impact of the sheep grazing activities combined with the aforementioned O&M jobs is estimated to be greater in scale than the existing crop cultivation activities that occur at the Facility site.

5. Property Tax Revenues: The Facility will increase local government revenues. PILOT revenues could amount to approximately $846,000 per year to be distributed to local taxing jurisdictions If a PILOT agreement is not executed, then the Facility would pay property taxes in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

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