One week before Christmas, Santa and his eight tiny reindeer landed on the roof of the Lawrence County Courthouse - with a bang.

The Calpine Corporation, the seventh-largest U.S. power generator and $2 billion company, signed a tax abatement agreement with the Lawrence County Commission and several other government agencies Thursday. The company plans to build an estimated $500 million natural gas powered electrical power plant in Hamilton Township along the Ohio River.

The plant's construction phase, expected to begin near the end of 2005, is expected to bring 600 jobs, said Bill Siderewicz, Calpine senior vice president for business development. Calpine's property includes 300 acres on the river and the plant itself is only expected to take up 20-25. This could result in Calpine being what Siderewicz called the "anchor tenant in the mall," meaning that other businesses may be attracted to locate on that property.

"It's like when you're a kid and you see this huge Christmas present," Commissioner Jason Stephens said. "It's wrapped up, you shake it and you can't wait to get it."

The corporation signed a 100 percent tax abatement agreement. In lieu of taxes, Calpine will donate 50 percent of what it would have paid to various taxing entities. Local government entities in Lawrence County will receive a total of $14,260,430 during the 10-year period and the cash will begin to flow once the plant goes online, Stephens said.

"This was a great location and a great community," said George Bacon, director of project development for Calpine. "The community has recognized the value of this project."

Siderewicz likened working toward the agreement to a Wimbledon match because so many groups - the company, county, township and local school district - had various needs, but they were all willing to work together. This situation was rather unique for the corporation compared with other entities with which it has worked.

"In some other places, you can't get the political parties and various other entities to agree," he said. "Here, the magic has happened, and we are very grateful."

Each year, Hamilton Township will receive $60,404, and Lawrence County will receive $133,692. Collins Career Center will receive $124,432, and the Board of MR/DD will receive $106,533. The Board of Health will receive $12,075.

Thanks to another tax abatement agreement with Duke Energy, the Rock Hill School District received $3.7 million, enough to pay off its bond levy for the construction of the elementary and high schools and renovation of the middle school. Because of the Calpine agreement, the district will receive another $988,906 per year, $9,889,060 after the 10-year period.

Rock Hill Superintendent Lloyd Evans said the district plans to use approximately $4 million of the money toward a scholarship fund for the students. The remaining funds, he said, will go toward capital improvements.

"Anyone that is qualified to go on to school and able to do so, we can assist with this fund," Evans said.

Because the money is donated to the school district and is not coming to the district in the form of taxes, this will not affect Rock Hill's funding formula when it comes to receiving state money, Evans said. In some cases in which a business has received a 50 percent tax abatement and not a 100 percent one, the increased tax dollars going into the district cut the state funding. Once the numbers were added up, the school district did not receive any additional funding.

The signing comes the day after Scioto County officials broke ground on the $135 million Sun Coke plant in Haverhill. Lawrence County officials strongly supported the company coming to Haverhill, even though the county would not receive property tax money because it is very likely to provide Lawrence countians with jobs. The Calpine agreement fueled a very jubilant fire.

"We have great optimism now," Commissioner Doug Malone said. "We've worked together and this is outstanding. It's going to be a great help."

"Regardless of our political differences, when it comes to making a positive impact, everyone comes together. That's great," Commission President George Patterson said. "I hope that during the Christmas season, people are reminded of what the true meaning of Christmas is. … May God bless us all."