Zelestra and McCarthy donate $55,000 to Miller Grove Volunteer Fire Department
- Zelestra is developing the 140 MWac Cedar Range Solar project in Hopkins County, with construction now underway.
- The $55,000 donation will support the Miller Grove Volunteer Fire Department and its service to the local community.
- McCarthy Building Companies, the project’s EPC contractor, also supported the donation.
Zelestra, developer of the 140 MWac Cedar Range Solar project, joined McCarthy Building Companies this week at the Hopkins County Commissioners Court meeting to present a $55,000 donation in support of the Miller Grove Volunteer Fire Department.
Shawn Blazer and Ryan Lachney from Zelestra, along with Karim Hazzi and Todd Tolkinen from McCarthy, presented the donation to Chief Bill Alberts and Ray Sparks from the Miller Grove Volunteer Fire Department.
The donation is intended to support a vital local emergency service as construction of the Cedar Range Solar project moves forward in Hopkins County.
Zelestra and McCarthy said they are committed to delivering the project responsibly, maintaining open communication with the local community, and supporting local services where possible.
The project is expected to generate approximately $9 million in local spending, as well as over $40 million in county and school taxes over the lifetime of the project, and support up to 200 jobs at peak construction.
Chief Bill Alberts from the Miller Grove Volunteer Fire Department said: “Miller Grove Volunteer Fire Department is thankful for this generous donation. This will allow us to pay off outstanding debt on repairs to our station, allowing us to help serve this community more effectively.”
Judge Robert Newsom from Hopkins County said: “We appreciate Zelestra’s generosity and look forward to our continued partnership.”
Shawn Blazer at Zelestra said: “This donation is part of our commitment to invest in the neighbourhoods where we operate – not as a one-time gesture, but as a reflection of the long-term relationship we intend to build here. We are proud to support the Miller Grove Volunteer Fire Department and look forward to being a part of this community for a long time to come.”
Karim Hazzi of McCarthy’s Renewable Energy group said: “McCarthy is proud to partner with Zelestra in support of the Miller Grove Volunteer Fire Department and the important role they play in this community. At McCarthy, we believe being a builder also means being a community partner. Supporting the people and organizations that help keep this community safe is one way we can make a meaningful, lasting impact beyond the jobsite.”
Construction of the project began earlier this year, and the project is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of 2027.
Zelestra is a clean energy developer with a focus on projects that power communities and support local economies for decades to come.
Globally we have a total team of 800 specialists – engineers, community liaisons, and operations experts – who deliver projects and see them through for the long-term.
Across the US, we’re actively developing around 15 GW of clean energy, with 1.4 GW already under construction in states including Texas and Indiana. These projects are already delivering environmental, social, and economic benefits in the towns where they are being delivered.
About McCarthy
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (McCarthy) is the oldest privately held national construction company in America. With more than 160 years spent collaborating with partners to solve complex building challenges on behalf of its clients, McCarthy is committed to delivering superior results and creating great experiences for everyone. McCarthy approaches every job with the mindset of a true builder. By self-performing critical scopes of work, McCarthy delivers accountability and consistency from start to finish. Through industry-leading design phase and construction techniques, combined with value-add technology, McCarthy drives smarter solutions and maximizes project outcomes.
Repeatedly honored as a Best Place to Work and Healthiest Employer, McCarthy is ranked the 15th largest domestic builder (Engineering News-Record, May 2025). With over 8,000 salaried employees and craft professionals, the firm has offices in St. Louis; Atlanta; Collinsville, Ill.; Kansas City, Kan.; Omaha, Neb.; Phoenix; Chandler, Ariz.; Las Vegas; Denver; Austin, Channelview, Dallas, and Houston, Texas; and San Diego, Newport Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento, Calif. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com or by following the company on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
