MASON CITY — A Chicago-based solar developer is asking Cerro Gordo County for permission to cross and use portions of several county drainage districts as it advances plans for a massive utility-scale solar project capable of generating up to 500 megawatts.
River City Energy, LLC, a Delaware-organized company with its principal office in Chicago, is seeking right-of-way easements involving Drainage Districts 19, 21, 45 and 71.
The application says underground electrical infrastructure tied to the project could cross drainage rights-of-way through excavation, directional boring or trenching.
The request is headed to the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors, where county officials are preparing to bring in outside engineering and legal expertise before allowing the project into drainage district territory.
Chicago company seeks access to county drainage ground
River City Energy, LLC is registered to do business in Iowa and lists a principal office at 226 N. Morgan Street in Chicago.
The company has been registered in Iowa since June 2022 and its Cerro Gordo County application identifies Ranger Power personnel as project contacts.
The proposed development is no small undertaking.
Project materials describe a utility-scale photovoltaic solar energy generating facility capable of producing up to 500 megawatts.
Construction is tentatively expected to begin in the third quarter of 2028 and could take 12 to 18 months.
NorthIowaToday.com has continued following major infrastructure, land-use and development issues moving through Cerro Gordo County government, including road, bridge and zoning matters:
https://northiowatoday.com/2026/05/19/cerro-gordo-supervisors-approve-rezoning-requests-road-project-plans-and-1-26-million-in-claims-at-may-18-meeting/
Four drainage districts could be affected
The company’s request involves Drainage Districts 19, 21, 45 and 71.
The application indicates that portions of the project would cross or affect drainage district rights-of-way, requiring easements before underground project infrastructure can be installed.
That is where county officials are taking a cautious approach.
Cerro Gordo County Auditor Adam Wedmore is recommending that supervisors retain an engineer with drainage district expertise to review the project plans, evaluate possible impacts and determine what protections should be required.
Bolton & Menk has been suggested for the engineering review.
The county is also considering specialized legal counsel for the drainage issues, with attorney Michael Gabor recommended for that work.
River City Energy has agreed to pay the costs associated with the engineering and legal reviews.
County wants protections in place first
Supervisors are not being asked to approve the entire solar development at this stage.
The immediate issue is whether River City Energy should be granted easements through county drainage districts and under what conditions.
Drainage infrastructure is particularly important in rural Cerro Gordo County, where landowners rely on district systems to move water away from agricultural ground.
Underground electrical lines, boring operations, grading and other construction activity could create complications if work interferes with drainage tile, ditches or future maintenance access.
County officials want those questions answered before any easement is issued.
NorthIowaToday.com has also reported on major county infrastructure projects involving bridges, roads and public facilities, including a $757,000 bridge contract approved earlier this year:
https://northiowatoday.com/2026/06/24/cerro-gordo-supervisors-approve-757k-bridge-contract-budget-appropriations-and-rockwell-roads-building-bid-schedule/
Massive solar project could reshape rural area
A 500-megawatt solar facility would represent a significant energy development in Cerro Gordo County.
The project maps included with the county packet show a sprawling development footprint spread across a large rural area.
The drainage easement request gives county officials one of their first major opportunities to impose technical safeguards before construction moves forward.
If approved, the company would still face additional regulatory and construction steps before the solar facility could become operational.
Supervisors expected to set next steps
The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors is expected to take up the River City Energy drainage district request during its October 5 meeting.
The likely first step is formal engineering and legal review rather than immediate approval of the easements.
That review could determine how the project is allowed to cross county drainage infrastructure and what obligations River City Energy must accept before work begins.
NorthIowaToday.com recently reported on the board’s September 28 meeting, where supervisors approved more than $565,000 in claims and handled other county business:
https://northiowatoday.com/2026/09/28/cerro-gordo-county-supervisors-approve-565240-in-claims-review-farm-manure-plan/