IDA authorizes phase 2 study for Charlestown site and reviews development prospects

The Herkimer County IDA voted to authorize a not-to-exceed allocation to advance a phase 2 study at the Charlestown site and heard extended staff updates about other site-development opportunities, including the Remington property, Manheim water project and potential industrial and data-center prospects.

Staff said existing EPA funds are nearly exhausted but that National Grid had offered to fund about 25% of the Charlestown phase 2 study (staff estimated that contribution at roughly $16,000). The agency requested authorization "not to exceed $50,000," and staff said they were pursuing additional grant funding from partners (including another regional EPA grant source through Mohawk Valley EDGE) that could eliminate the need to spend agency funds. The board voted to approve the authorization and directed staff to pursue outside funding before drawing on agency reserves.

Staff also presented updates: the Remington site has entered an ESD site-evaluation kickoff and has attracted state and national outreach; the Manheim Water Project is nearing the bid stage and is roughly 68-70% complete on planning documents; and agency staff reported ongoing recruitment/hiring and property cleanup steps at other sites. Board members discussed the potential for battery-storage pilots and warehouse uses at Charlestown and other sites, noting that certain uses will require additional electric upgrades.