3 solar farms could be coming to Columbus Co. | Environment

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - According to Columbus County officials, a company out of Virginia is waiting on approval from the NC Utility Commission to open three solar farms in the county.

Commissioners say that since the county is rural, there are currently no zoning ordinances. But with the three solar farms possibly coming, they realize that times are changing, and that they need to set some.

Next month, commissioners will start having workshops to start discussing ordinances.

Commissioner Ricky Bullard says that they want to encourage economic growth, but also protect farmland and residential areas.

The county already has a solar farm that's going up off of Midway Road, outside of Whiteville.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.