A Better Park, A Stronger Community For All
- Kyle Taft
- Apr 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 30
Matt Lorentz, a Senior Associate of Project Development for EDP Renewables North America, has been working with Jasper County and the Town of Remington on the Carpenter Wind Farm project for more than two years.
During his time in Indiana—and having worked closely with both Brienne Hooker of the Jasper Newton Foundation and Remington Town Manager Jonathan Cripe—Lorentz has come to understand the degree to which both communities embody the spirit of community engagement EDP looks for when scouting locations for renewable energy wind and solar projects.
“Togetherness and community health are important to us—those are things EDP looks for in scouting locations,” said Lorentz, a graduate of Loyola University Chicago. “We want engaged community members to work with because our projects rely on a thriving sense of community. We look for areas that are healthy enough economically and socially to benefit from our projects, and areas that are actively doing their part to achieve community progress.”
When EDP and Lorentz got wind (no pun intended) of Remington’s park expansion, it didn’t take long for the company—which develops, constructs, and operates wind farms and solar parks throughout North America—to contribute to the cause. EDP wrote a check for $50,000—with the potential of an additional $50K match—as a donation for the park expansion.
“Tom LoTurco, our executive vice president of development, was at a meeting where Jon was talking about the park expansion and we agreed right then and there to make a gift and support this project,” said Lorentz. “We were excited right away because we know that Remington’s park expansion is a great opportunity for the community as a whole. As a neighbor and as a community member, we want to support these kinds of initiatives, specifically the ones that the community is excited and energized about. This is a project that will make the Remington community stronger. You can tell how energized and passionate Jon and Remington are about this project.”
In addition, separate from the large gift for the park expansion, EDP reached an agreement with Remington similar to its agreement with Jasper County. EDP signed a contribution agreement with Jasper County to invest 1.32 million dollars every year for five years starting in June of 2026. Mirroring that, EDP signed an agreement to contribute $160,000 a year for ten years, totaling 1.6 million dollars, for the Town of Remington to use as the community sees fit.
“The Carpenter Wind Farm project is so heavily involved in the Remington area, we wanted to ensure we’re doing all we can to support Remington and its community initiatives,” said Lorentz. “As far as our contribution to Remington’s park expansion, it was very clear from talking with Jon that the project meant a lot to the people of Remington. In working with Brienne and the JNF, I’ve also become familiar with the Love Where You Live campaign, and that is a feeling that extends throughout Remington too. At EDP, we share that perspective. Community health and the development of shared spaces—where people of all abilities can gather and partake in joy—are essential to us, and that made it easy for us to align with Remington’s important park expansion project.
“Speaking personally, I love these spaces where everyone is welcome and able to participate in recreation. That’s something that I get excited about. In my time talking with Jon, it was evident that this is what the park expansion project is all about.”
For Lorentz, the developing connection between EDP and the Town of Remington is one based on shared vision, community buy-in, and relationship building.
“Our company has been developing renewable energy projects for a very long time,” said Lorentz. “Most of our developments have been in White and Benton Counties in Indiana. The Carpenter Wind Farm is the newest one in development. That’s how I was introduced to Jasper County and the Town of Remington. These types of projects are not possible without buy-in from local landowners, local officials, farmers, and local economic development offices. Really, it takes the whole community, in general, to make our projects happen.
“With that comes a lot of talking to landowners. We have over 80 landowners who have chosen to take part in this project. So, we spend a lot of time in the area. We have leased an office space in Remington right across from the town hall by the depot. That allows folks to come in with questions, talk through their lease agreements, or project updates. That helped us to develop a stronger relationship with the community and with Jon. We were excited about this from the moment we heard about the park expansion, and how it would create spaces for younger families and kids of all abilities. A community that focuses energy and resources on making all of its residents feel welcome and included—that’s a good community for EDP to be a part of.”
To get involved and support the Town of Remington’s inclusive park, make a gift today!
