Renewable Energy Bolstered Missouri Rural Economies

A University of Missouri study found that renewable power projects have driven job growth and higher GDP in rural counties.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Utilities

Isometric editorial illustration depicting a single white wind turbine set within geometric rural farmland, representing renewable energy expansion. — A University of Missouri study concludes that renewable energy projects significantly bolstered local economic growth and employment in rural Missouri counties from 2001 to 2023. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should your local community encourage more renewable energy infrastructure projects?

Data analyzed between 2001 and 2023 shows that wind and solar energy infrastructure projects significantly increased local economic activity. The findings suggest that these developments boosted employment and wages without harming agricultural output.

Why it matters

The study highlights how renewable infrastructure can revitalize rural economies while balancing development pressures with local agricultural interests. It provides a data-backed perspective for communities weighing the trade-offs of hosting large-scale energy projects.

Wind infrastructure increased host community GDP by 7%, while 94% of wind farms and 70% of large-scale solar facilities in the region are situated on cropland. Currently, wind accounts for 10% of Missouri electricity, compared to just 1% for solar.

The players

University of Missouri Center for Rural Energy Security

This research organization focuses on the intersection of energy infrastructure and the socioeconomic health of rural communities.

The details

Researchers at the Center for Rural Energy Security found that renewable energy development showed no correlation with declining agricultural GDP or wages. As development expands, local governments across the Midwest and Great Plains have increasingly adopted ordinances to manage infrastructure siting, setbacks, and land use.

The study analyzed economic data covering the period from 2001 to 2023.
Renewable energy ordinances grew by 45% in four states between 2024 and 2026.

Market Landscape

The study mirrors the Midwestern rural ordinance proliferation trend, where regional local governments are increasingly formalizing land-use regulations to manage industrial expansion. This shift reflects a wider regional effort to balance rapid energy development with local land management priorities.

Residents in rural areas may see new local ordinances that govern how and where energy infrastructure is built in their communities. These regulations aim to protect property rights while formalizing procedures for site decommissioning and vegetation management.

The takeaway

Rural communities can leverage renewable energy projects to capture tangible economic gains like increased wages and GDP. Local governments play a crucial role in these developments by implementing clear ordinances that address specific infrastructure siting concerns.