Industrial wind plants contribute very little to the local economy and could hurt it.  “Promised "windfall" revenue is tantalizing. Rural areas often rely heavily upon tourism attracted to the region's scenic natural beauty. The lure of additional revenue without any apparent cost often blinds authorities to the problems created by development which will diminish the natural beauty at the heart of the  economy.” http://www.stopillwind.org/lowerlevel.php?content=topten_6   

“For the first two windplants operating in Somerset County, PA, the average per turbine tax payment in 2003 was only $528, a combined property tax payment of $7,388 (fide Somerset County Commissioner Pamela Tokar-Ickes) on machines that cost nearly $50 million to install.”
http://www.stopillwind.org/lowerlevel.php?content=topten_6  

“Tax benefits are a fraction of what a municipality would garner from a similarly priced investment: $1 million to $2 million per turbine.” “The Garrett windmills in Summit Township offer about $650 in taxes a year for each of the eight turbines. About $170 is for the county, $50 for the township and $405 for Meyersdale Area School District.” Somerset County turbines may bring winds of change, February 4, 2006 by Kecia Bal in The Tribune-Democrat
http://www.windwatch.org/news/1513

“Wind developers receive tax credits of 1.9 cents per kilowatt hour produced for the first 10 years. After that, the federal production tax credit is eliminated. If the tax credits are eliminated after 10 years, what prevents companies from abandoning wind farms that are no longer profitable?”  A change in the wind - Heated debate surrounds Greenbrier County plan April 23, 2006 by Christian Giggenbach in Register-Herald http://www.windwatch.org/news/2646