Earlier this week, I had the privilege of joining the community of Wynne, Arkansas, to celebrate a milestone: the ribbon cutting for Cordelio’s Crossover Wind Project, the state’s first utility-scale wind farm. 

Known as “The City with a Smile,” Wynne turned out to be the perfect host for this historic project.

Driving into town, I caught my first glimpse of the turbines sprinkled across the fields to the west and north of Wynne. It was my first time seeing turbines in Arkansas, so I was incredibly tickled to spot them through the trees from the road.

The event itself took place in the same building that houses the local Chamber of Commerce, and the atmosphere was festive and family-oriented. There were local food trucks, kids running around with balloon animals and painted faces, a four-piece string band playing, and guests enjoying Baggo, food, and plenty of conversation. Employees from Cordelio, Vestas, and Mortenson mingled with landowners, local leaders, and neighbors, creating the feel of a hometown fair.

Amid the festivities, the significance of the project was clear. Crossover Wind is Arkansas’ first utility-scale wind project, featuring Vestas turbines and producing up to 135 MW of renewable power - enough energy generated that could power tens of thousands of homes, while also generating new streams of tax revenue and landowner payments that will directly benefit the region.

Speakers repeatedly circled back to one theme: gratitude. They thanked residents and businesses for welcoming the workforce, for navigating oversized component deliveries through town, and for helping the project team feel at home. Mortenson highlighted the 400+ craft workers who logged over 300,000 hours to build the project, noting that their apprenticeship goals were met and that ten local hires are now taking their skills to wind projects around the country.

The Arkansas Advanced Energy Association’s Executive Director, Lauren Waldrip, spoke about the long-term economic opportunities for rural counties, while community leaders from the Chamber of Commerce thanked Cordelio for ongoing support of local events, schools, and organizations. It was clear that this project is not just about energy, but about community growth and shared prosperity.

What stood out to me most was how the project felt woven into the fabric of Wynne. Wind power may be new to Arkansas, but on this day it did not feel foreign. It felt familiar and celebrated. The ribbon cutting closed with applause, photos, and a giant pair of ceremonial scissors, sealing a sense of local pride and possibility.

Before heading home, I drove out to see the turbines up close. As the sun dropped over the Delta, turbines turned slowly in the evening light. Watching them against that wide Arkansas sky was incredibly calming, a quiet reminder that renewable energy can be both powerful and peaceful.

SREA was glad to be there to cheer on our members, Cordelio and Vestas, for this historic occasion. Congratulations to the landowners, county partners, and project teams who brought it to life.