BLOOMINGTON - New jobs and noise - both seen as byproducts of wind farms - were discussed Tuesday as a hearing on a proposed, 333-turbine project in eastern McLean County continued for a second day.

Horizon Wind Energy LLC is seeking a special-use permit from McLean County for Black Prairie Wind Farm, which would be built north of Illinois 9. Horizon owns the 240-turbine Twin Groves Wind Farm, which is across Illinois 9 from the Black Prairie site.

The McLean County Zoning Board of Appeals continued its hearing for three hours Tuesday night. Horizon continued to present its case, and then public testimony was taken for about 45 minutes.

The ZBA will accept testimony from those who want to speak in opposition of the wind farm when the hearings resume at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Government Center, 115 E. Washington St. Opponents are expected to present their side then, and 13 people have signed up to speak so far.

Ridgeview school district Superintendent Larry Dodds was among about eight people who spoke in favor of the wind farm. Colfax-based Ridgeview could see about $2 million in tax revenue from the wind farm, he said.

"Anything that will create financial stability for a school district is welcome," Dodds said.

Eric Penn from Laborers Local 362 said he worked on Twin Groves Wind Farm and union members are looking forward to getting construction jobs at Black Prairie.

Jacques Gourguechon from Camiros, a Chicago-based planning group, said the proposed wind farm would create 387 jobs during construction phases. After construction, maintenance would create about 116 jobs.

Chris Howell, acoustics expert for Horizon, testified that noise levels at the wind farms reach about 46.8 decibels. Howell said that level is less than a stereo playing quietly in a house.

Once the hearings are completed, the zoning board's recommendation will be forwarded to the McLean County Board for a final vote on whether Horizon will receive the special use permit.