WOLFE ISLAND — Some bitterness, anger and sense of loss linger among the 1,200 souls on Wolfe Island and at least one family has packed its belongings and left. But the green economy is now entrenched on the Island facing Kingston harbour.

Forty-six wind turbines have been erected and 40 more are on the way.

Prosperity has hit the island, says dairy farmer Henry Posthumus. "This is a good thing that’s happened on the island, but it’s changed the landscape forever."

He has one wind turbine erected on his farm, taking up less than an acre of land. He says he can easily operate the farm around it.

Landowners on the Island struck one of two deals with Canadian Hydro out of Calgary. Some signed a fixed contract over 20 years at a rate of $9,500 annually. Others signed a variable contract, which he estimates will pay between $12,000 and $15,000 annually. The catch here is the landowner doesn’t get paid if the windmill isn’t generating energy.

The township will get $7,500 annually for each turbine, altogether $650,000 or about a third of the current tax base for the Island. Wolfe Islanders pay $1.8 million in taxes a year.

Six jobs are expected for a community where jobs are hard to come by. Canadian Hydro has a full-time person and a secretary working on the Island and a classroom that will be used by St. Lawrence College students.

The company is hiring mechanics now but the candidates must be able to pass the first test – climb the 300-foot high wind turbine and rappel from the top.

Posthumus switched from beef to dairy in 1997 and built his milking herd up to 30 cows. He runs the operation with his wife, Dr. Janine Handforth, a veterinarian who works for Queen’s University in Kingston.