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EMERSON, MO -- Some tri-state area residents are hoping to harness a natural resource while benefiting Northeast Missouri.

For years folks in and around Emerson, Missouri have known it was a windy area.

But now folks like Steve Boling are hoping to use one of the highest locations in Northeast Missouri to bring in economic development through wind farms.

Now he and 35 other land owners around Emerson in have joined together in an effort to enhance infrastructure in the area.

He says the area around Emerson is perfect for wind turbines, not just because it is one of the highest areas in Northeast Missouri, but because it's also a stone's throw away from major electric lines and substations which would be good for connectivity.

The group is applying for economic stimulus money in order to enhance roads.  Meanwhile they're hoping to address zoning and connectivity studies which would make it easier for a wind farm investor to get involved.

He says it's not just a green move, it would benefit the entire Northeast Missouri region.

What will this bring to the area?

Steve Boling said, "What we're trying to bring to the area is economic development. It will very much increase the tax base here. It will provide long term jobs for people who work on the wind farms and do the maintenance."

Boling adds the initial construction jobs will put people back to work.

Now he's hoping to get political and community support for the project.  Call 573-439-5811 to get involved.

We also called around to check on the status of other wind energy projects around the area. 

You'll recall back in January we told you about plans to bring a wind farm to McDonough and Warren Counties. We've learned construction will begin sometime next year on the wind farm. When completed it will be a 200-megawatt farm.

Just last month we told you about Adams Rural Electrical Cooperative's plans to erect a new wind turbine just Northeast of Payson.  Leaders with Adams Co-op say they plan to start pouring concrete in the next two weeks, weather permitting. Roughly a month later officials say a turbine like this will crown this field near Payson, supplying enough electricity to power 200 to 300 homes.

The new $2 million wind turbine will supplement Adams Electric Co-op's current power supply and will act as a buffer against rising fuel costs.

Last year, the Prairie Power Energy Group in Jacksonville announced plans to build a sixty-million dollar wind farm complete with twenty new turbines by the year 2011. We've learned those plans are moving forward as developers continue negotiations with local landowners.