Wind country: one of Michigan's biggest wind farms

If you’re looking at rural land in the eastern and central parts of Isabella County, you’ll notice the turbines. Isabella Wind — built by Apex Clean Energy and now owned by DTE — is among the largest wind farms in Michigan, with roughly 130-plus turbines spread across several townships, including Denver, Gilmore, Isabella, Nottawa, Vernon, and Wise.

For homebuyers, this cuts a couple of ways. The turbines are now the single biggest taxpayer in the county, which has pumped tens of millions of dollars into local schools, township budgets, and county projects — a real plus for public services without raising residents’ taxes. Landowners who lease ground for turbines also receive payments. On the other hand, if you’re buying near a turbine, it’s worth visiting the property to judge the sight lines and the low “swoosh” sound for yourself, and asking whether a given parcel is already in a wind lease. Reactions vary a lot from person to person.

Either way, it’s a defining feature of this part of the county — good to know what’s there before you buy.