This content was originally published in the Mansfield News Journal.

Did you know that a single utility-scale solar project can be the region’s highest economic driver, providing six times more jobs than other local sites? That’s what renewable energy development can mean for working families in Richland County. In plain terms, that means our neighbors get the first crack at the work. It keeps our people here, our paychecks here and our pride here.

When decision-makers ignore the people in the room, it’s more than a policy disagreement. To Richland County residents, this is about jobs and whether we have a say in shaping our county’s future.

This isn’t about opening the door to unlimited development. It’s about ensuring our elected officials do the job they were elected to do: evaluate each project on its own merits and decide if it’s right for our community. A “yes” vote doesn’t mean blanket approval for all solar development in Richland County; it means our commissioners will listen to local voices and consider the specific benefits each project could bring, rather than implementing a blanket ban and ignoring a whole pipeline of opportunity for our community.

We decided to take this fight to the people because voters should have the final say, not just three county commissioners. Union members and local volunteers worked side-by-side, gathering over 3,000 signatures to get a citizen-led referendum on the ballot. This was a real team effort, showing what our community can do when we come together.

Why does this matter? Because solar projects are creating the largest and most stable jobs our industry has seen in years, providing good careers that keep our kids and grandkids right here at home. There isn’t a project proposed in this county, and yet we will lose a whole pipeline of opportunity for our community if this ban remains in place.

Supporting this referendum effort gives us the chance to continue to do what we do best: build, earn and pass on opportunity to the next generation. And it’s letting the people here fairly decide their future.