French green energy company CMG Clean Tech has shifted its plan to build its U.S. headquarters and research park in Osceola County. The company’s U.S. affiliate, Panacea Global Energy Inc., was one of four bidders Tuesday for the 63-acre Poinciana SunRail Park property and received the most favorable reviews from the county’s executive staff.
And Thursday, the county issued a notice of intent to begin negotiations with Clean Tech subject to approval of the Board of Commissioners, according to a report in GrowthSpotter.
Clean Tech was the sole bidder earlier this year when Osceola County put out an invitation to bid for its 309-acre Mac Overstreet property, adjacent to the Valencia College Poinciana campus on Pleasant Hill Road.
The company, which manufactures solar panels and roof tiles, solar-assisted heat pumps, mobile green hydrogen units, lithium batteries and EV charging systems, has been negotiating with the county since March to buy the property on Lake Tohopekaliga for a campus called “Green Garden Village” that would house its U.S. headquarters as part of a green energy technology park with seven buildings in total.
But the proposal has garnered opposition from residents living along Pleasant Hill Road, who say the factories are not compatible with their adjacent neighborhoods. The company eliminated a proposed hydrogen energy plant from the campus after community backlash.
UPDATED: French company could create 1,200 high-paying jobs at new Osceola green energy tech park
Now the company is planning to move the entire project, and its 1,200 high-paying jobs, to the SunRail employment center.
Osceola published the Request For Letters Of Interest for the SunRail Park property in late July seeking a buyer who would reimburse the county for its purchase of the land and create transit-oriented development that produces high-wage jobs in the targeted industries of manufacturing and research and development.
The other three respondents all have ties to the area and experience with mixed-use developments.
Ray Stangle, the county’s community development director, said he read those three proposals first before opening the one from Clean Tech/Panacea. He said the first three all proposed a mixed-use development that focused primarily on residential development with some complementary commercial uses, such as retail and restaurants.
Assistant County Manager Amanda Clavijo agreed. She said the Federal Finance proposal included job creation figures, but they were largely retail and restaurant jobs to support the new residential development.
“There’s already housing on the property outside of the proposed area,” she said, referring to the affordable housing under construction by Birdsong Housing Partners. The remaining land is “a great economic development opportunity to focus on the target industries.”
Deputy County Manager Tawny Olore and Economic Development Director Christina Morris echoed those comments, making Panacea the consensus selection. Their feedback will be shared with County Manager Don Fisher, who will make a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners.
It’s unclear what this means for the future of the Mac Overstreet property, formerly known as College Station.
Clean Tech, the sole bidder for Mac Overstreet, had offered $8.5 million for the first 100 acres with a plan to negotiate the price of more property. Company officials did not respond to requests for comment.
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