Representatives from Grid Growth Ventures held an open house Wednesday at the Champaign County Fairgrounds Activities Building to provide information about the proposed Grid Growth West transmission project and answer questions from residents and landowners.
The project calls for three proposed transmission lines across western and central Ohio, including two 765-kilovolt lines and one 345-kilovolt line. Portions of the proposed project could run through Champaign County, with potential routes being considered in areas around Mechanicsburg, St. Paris, Mutual, Woodstock and south of Urbana.
Representatives from Grid Growth were plentiful at the event, speaking with residents and landowners throughout the open house. The goal was to give people an opportunity to learn more about the project, ask questions and better understand how potential transmission routes could affect their property.
An updated project map was also available for residents to review. The map shows possible transmission routes being studied, not routes that have been finalized. Grid Growth officials stressed that not all of the lines or route options shown on the map will ultimately be built.
The project includes the proposed Greentown-Thistlewood 765-kilovolt line, the Thistlewood-Marysville 765-kilovolt line and the Thistlewood-Beatty 345-kilovolt line. A proposed central substation would be located in northeastern Clark County.
Grid Growth says the project is intended to strengthen the regional transmission system, increase capacity and help meet projected growth in electricity demand.
Grid Growth spokesperson Scott Blake explained more about the project and the purpose of Wednesday’s open house.
The project remains in the early stages, with route studies, field surveys and engineering work expected to continue.
According to the current project schedule, field surveys and engineering are expected to continue through spring 2027, followed by another round of public information meetings in early 2027. Grid Growth anticipates submitting its regulatory application to the Ohio Power Siting Board in spring 2027, with an anticipated decision later that year.
If approved, construction is currently expected to begin in late 2027, with the project anticipated to be placed into service in summer 2030.
