D'Iberville will be the first city in the country to get an energy program that combines a solar farm to generate power, a fleet of 70 BMW electric cars for city use and a network of kiosks where residents and travelers can recharge their electric cars.

City leaders signed the agreement Tuesday with Project Green Leaf, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, for the installation, maintenance and operation of the solar power-generating plant.

The program freezes electric rates for 25 years for members of the solar co-op that will be created. It will bring businesses such as Havana Nights -- a multi-level entertainment complex based on the television show "I Love Lucy." After the solar farm is operational, the complex with restaurants and nightclub will open in D'Iberville or Biloxi, said Terry Mobbs, manager of M2C Energy Solutions, the company that is putting together the engineering and technology for the solar farm and complementary projects.

Former Saints running back Buford Jordan is a co-owner of Havana Nights and after the complex opens in South Mississippi, Mobbs said, Jordan plans to build another in New Orleans.

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The first floor will have three restaurants and Mobbs said, "Every dining area has some type of entertainment." Visitors will be able to watch workers rolling cigars and then buy the cigars at the gift shop. A Hemingway Room, Madrid Room with a Flamenco show and a rooftop bar overlooking the city also are planned.

The highlight will be the Tropicana Showroom, a replica of the nightclub in which Ricky Ricardo, played by Desi Arnaz, performed on "I Love Lucy." On weekends, the room will be converted to a dance club following the dinner show.

Theme dinner shows featuring dancing waiters and audience participation will be designed to draw adults and children -- the cast and band entertain them while they dine.

Several other projects will follow when the solar farm is built, Mobbs said. When business owners and investors learn about what is coming to D'Iberville, Mobbs said, people tell him, "I want to be part of that."

Phase I of the project is a $20 million investment to build the solar farm on 57 acres north of Interstate 10 in Biloxi. The site is on wetlands that can't be developed and next to D'Iberville's sewage-treatment plant. The solar panels are designed to handle the wind load or a hurricane.

"It works every single day, even on cloudy days," Mobbs said of the solar farm. The 10-megawatt system could generate enough power to supply the annual energy needs of 2,500 customers.

"We'd like to start within the next 30 days," Mobbs said, and he estimates it will take six months to build the solar farm.

Future phases call for additional solar farms across South Mississippi.

D'Iberville is host in this first public-private partnership and has no expense other than to purchase power from the co-op.

SHARE COPY LINK An explainer on how to use electric car charging stations, including getting a text message when the car is charged and ready to go.

Other benefits of the program:

-- The city will have the use of 70 BMW electric cars at no cost. Maintenance, insurance and replacements will be provided, saving the city an estimated $300,000 or more a year. The cars interact with cellphones and ID cards and park themselves when returned to the lot.

-- A network of ISHARE EV inductive charging stations will be installed at hotels, casinos and shopping centers across South Mississippi to recharge electric cars in about 15 to 20 minutes. A text message alerts drivers their vehicle is charged and they can get coupons sent from the kiosk to their cellphones.

-- The project will be an economic-development tool for D'Iberville to attract businesses with stable energy rates, but the co-op will be open to businesses outside of D'Iberville.

For information about the charging stations and solar farm, contact Mobbs at 297-0522 or terry@ishareev.com.