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IDA discusses Skyler business park buildout, FAST New York and PowerUp funding opportunities
Summary
The board reviewed planning and funding options for Skyler business park development, including timing for an entrance, signal poles delay, water infrastructure bids and pursuing FAST New York/PowerUp planning grants.
Herkimer County IDA staff updated the board April 22 on development and funding options for the Skyler business park and asked the board for direction on marketing and target industries as outreach interest grows.
Staff said the park entrance construction is scheduled to be substantially complete by Jan. 26 next year except for signal poles, which have a long procurement lead time and are expected to be installed in December; the full entrance and signal work should be operational in January. The board noted the long lead time for state-approved signal poles, which delays full activation.
Staff recommended a more focused strategy for the park, identifying opportunities for high-tech supply-chain or distributor uses while also considering contractor storage, light industrial or heavy equipment tenants. The board discussed whether to hold the park for a higher‑tech use or to accept earlier tenants that would fill space more quickly.
Staff said the agency is preparing a FAST New York application and has PowerUp program support; those programs can fund studies for electrical capacity, sewer and other infrastructure and may provide up to several hundred thousand dollars for site readiness. The agency is gathering data on available power capacity (questions remain about whether 20 megawatts or more is feasible) and noted previous environmental and geotechnical work is available but a targeted FAST study would provide the specific electrical and sewer cost estimates the board needs for marketing high‑tech users.
Board members asked staff to schedule a separate meeting focused on Skyler park strategy; staff said they will hold a hybrid meeting to gather more input and to discuss the park’s marketing priorities and possible study scope under FAST New York.
No formal procurement decisions were made at the meeting; staff said work on bids for a water tower and transfer of a Northern Border grant to serve Skyler prospects will continue.
