A letter to the editor from Reagan Farr, Co-founder and CEO of Silicon Ranch

Originally Published in The Alma Times on November 26, 2025

For more than a year, we at Silicon Ranch have worked hand-in-hand with Bacon County officials to craft an agreement that truly benefits this community we’re excited to join. From day one, our shared goal has been simple: make sure Bacon County sees real value from what we bring—whether it’s the money we invest, the taxes we pay, the charitable contributions we make, the jobs we create, the local businesses we support, the energy we produce, or the agricultural products we raise right here on this land. Your local leaders have been thoughtful and fair throughout this process, and together we’ve built something that will pay off for Bacon County for decades to come. That’s something we’re proud of.

I know I’m certainly proud of the agreement we reached, I’m proud of this meaningful project, and I’m proud of the work that we do. We hosted a community meeting recently to share more about it all, but it’s clear many folks still have questions. And when questions go unanswered, doubts creep in. Some of you may see us as just another big company instead of what we really are—people who care deeply about what we do and about the communities we call home.

So let me tell you who we are. Silicon Ranch isn’t some giant, faceless corporation. We’re folks who believe in being good neighbors, keeping our word, and doing what we say we’ll do. That’s how we’ve earned trust in communities across Georgia for more than a decade.

Now, about our project here in Bacon County. First off, this isn’t just about solar panels—it’s about strengthening the electric grid right here at home, and we’ve already invested tens of millions of dollars to build out utility infrastructure to help create a more robust transmission system in the area that will help deliver affordable, reliable energy right here in this region.

Next, as we’ve considered the land that we’ve already purchased in Bacon County, our team has worked closely with state and federal agencies such as the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and US Fish & Wildlife Service to conduct surveys, and we’ve obtained the necessary permits from the Georgia Department of Environmental Protection Division to move forward.

Including the significant investment we’ve already made in Bacon County, Silicon Ranch has committed to invest more than $300 million over the next two years to fund and install world-class infrastructure that will provide much-needed energy to help Georgia’s electric cooperatives—including the local co-op Satilla REMC—deliver power to more than 50,000 rural households and support Georgia’s growing economy.

And about the infrastructure we’re installing, I’m proud that our company is a recognized leader in our support of American manufacturing, and I want you to know that the equipment we will own and operate here in Bacon County is made by American workers in American factories.

As we do all this, our company will become one of the largest taxpayers in Bacon County, contributing more than $45 million in new tax revenues over the life of the project to benefit local government services, the Bacon County School District, and other community-identified priorities, including infrastructure. Plus, we don’t need things like water or sewer services, so every dollar we pay goes straight into the county’s tax base.

On top of that, our agreement with Bacon County includes $2.5 million in direct community support over the next 25 years. During this period, Silicon Ranch has committed to contribute $50,000 each year to a Conservation Stewardship Fund to improve parks, ballfields, and outdoor spaces for hunting, fishing, and recreation. In addition, Silicon Ranch has committed to contribute $50,000 every year to fund scholarships for Bacon County students pursuing college, technical training, or skilled trades.

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve heard some of you express concern that we’re taking land out of agricultural production, but here in Georgia we’ve proven over the last several years that energy generation and productive agriculture are not competing priorities, but rather complementary pursuits. As the long-term owner and operator of not only the energy infrastructure but also our land, we take seriously our obligations to be thoughtful stewards of our land and to keep it agriculturally productive by grazing livestock through our wholly owned agribusiness. The sheep we will graze on our land in Bacon County will contribute to the local food supply. They will also help maintain healthy vegetation without chemicals or frequent mowing. They fertilize the soil naturally, building its organic matter year after year. This is real agriculture: protein production, soil restoration, and honest work. For the people we employ to steward our pastures—many of them local aspiring farmers and ranchers without generational land of their own—they don’t see solar panels; they see shade and shelter for their animals.

Some folks worry that “if you let one project in, more will follow.” But our project is designed for this specific spot on the grid. Even if utilities wanted more power here, we couldn’t provide it because we’re already using the available capacity.

We know we’ve got more work to do to earn your trust, and we’re ready for that. To answer more questions, we’ve set up a page at siliconranch.com/bacon. If you don’t see your question there, reach out on the form provided—we read every message. And we’ll keep creating opportunities to meet face-to-face in the weeks ahead.

As the newest members of Bacon County, we share your commitment to building a brighter future for generations to come. We’re proud to be part of Bacon County’s story, and we look forward to working together to make sure this project fits right in with the rich agricultural heritage of this area.