Johnson County commissioners have taken another step toward a $100 million wind farm near Sterling in southeast Nebraska.

Commissioners approved a special use permit on Tuesday that allows for construction of the wind farm that could include as many as 37 wind turbines and produce as much as 60 megawatts of energy.

The vote means Chicago-based Invenergy has what it needs from the county to proceed with the project.

Company spokesman says the construction timetable runs from 2012 to 2017. He says the project includes $4 million in taxes paid to the county over 20 years, 100 construction jobs and renewable energy that could handle the needs of thousands of homes.