Herkimer IDA reviews Remington site redevelopment options, cites EPA drilling and state applications for power

The Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency on Wednesday updated members on redevelopment work at the former Remington Arms site, saying consultants have proposed three alternative uses that include data center and housing components and that state and federal reviews are in progress.

Agency staff said they have secured EPA funding to conduct indoor drilling and geotechnical work across the site and that those investigations found contamination and metal residues “all over the entire site,” information staff said is being used to scope cleanup and redevelopment costs. Staff also said they are pursuing state programs and tax credits to support cleanup and redevelopment.

“Not only did that help us with understanding what contaminants are there, but we believe they're all over the entire site. And most of it is metals like we see everywhere in Upstate New York,” staff said during the update. The same presenter said the IDA plans to break the property into five parcels for applications to state cleanup programs, and estimated the cleanup tax-credit opportunity at roughly $160,000,000 across the parcels.

Agency staff reported two filings with the New York Independent System Operator: separate applications for about 100 megawatts and 400 megawatts of power to serve potential data-center tenants. Staff said the governor’s office supports bringing more power to the area and that the IDA will present the Remington study and its findings to Empire State Development in Albany within the next two weeks.

The agency described ongoing coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office on redevelopment work because parts of the site include buildings older than 50 years; staff said SHPO has provided a letter indicating construction is possible but that additional documentation and structural review remain necessary.

The IDA also said it has discussed the site with National Grid and potential large-scale power contractors and that at least one new prospective buyer — identified generically as a sovereign data-center operator — has expressed interest. Staff warned that sovereign-style facilities typically generate fewer direct onsite jobs than hyperscale data centers but still deliver specialized, well‑paid positions.

Agency members asked about job counts and were told staff estimates are still preliminary; staff said, “probably closer to 300,” when describing a ballpark employment figure being discussed for some data‑center scenarios.

Next steps the IDA listed include completing and circulating the Remington alternatives report, continuing cleanup planning and grant applications, and presenting the findings to Empire State Development and other state officials for funding and power‑infrastructure support.