A place to store gas and hills to harvest wind has suddenly made this town in southern Steuben County an energy hotspot.

The town, according to officials, has attracted the attention of several energy companies that may be ready to drop some major economic development dollars on the community known more for its agriculture.

Jasper town officials learned Friday evening they are going to hear more on a proposed wind turbine project and a natural gas storage facility within the next month.

According to town Supervisor Lucille Kernan, representatives of Invenergy, the same company that is developing a wind power project in Wyoming County, will be at the next town board meeting to discuss a proposed 40-turbine wind project in the town.

"They're coming to the meeting, but I want to have a special public hearing to get the word out," Kernan said, adding Invenergy officials were going to attend the meeting Friday but were unable to come.

Kernan said opposition to a wind project seems to be weak, saying she has only heard from one resident who may oppose the development.

According to town Codes Enforcement Officer John Leonard, he and other town officials will meet to hear more about a proposed Wyckoff natural gas storage facility in the town.

"They had to go through all the state and federal stuff, and they did, but they had some problems when they tested the wells last year," Leonard said.

In other business, the board:

l Learned that a pump at the water treatment plant broke and will cost almost $2,000 for a new one. The old pump was two years old and has approximately 300 hours on it. The board decided to get the pump back from their supplier to keep on hand for parts. There are two identical pumps in the facility and the broken one was replaced with a spare.

l Heard from town Clerk Sheila Leach, who returned from a three-day training class.

l The next town board meeting will be at 7 p.m. March 11.