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Grand Island urges Tonawanda to consult with the town on proposed data center; board authorizes LOI talks for battery storage lease
Summary
Councilman Garcia led passage of a resolution asking Tonawanda to consider Grand Island when reviewing interest in a data center at the former Huntley plant; separately the board authorized town attorneys to finalize a letter of intent and lease discussions with CC Internal Development (a Clean Capital affiliate) for a battery-storage project on town property, subject to final legal review.
The Grand Island Town Board unanimously adopted a resolution asking neighboring Tonawanda to consider Grand Island and potential cross-river impacts if Tonawanda renews interest in a data center project at the former Huntley plant, Councilman Jose Garcia said during the meeting. "I would ask that they are cautious about moving forward and consult and consider Grand Island as they do," Garcia said, noting water transfers and other potential local effects.
Separately, after suspending normal rules to permit immediate consideration, the board authorized the town’s battery-storage attorneys to finalize a letter of intent, option and lease agreement with "CC Internal Development," described in the discussion as a subsidiary of Clean Capital. The authorization directs attorneys to prepare necessary documents and notify the company of the town’s intent to move forward, "subject to finalization [of] necessary documents and review and satisfaction of any legal requirements," according to the motion read at the meeting.
Why it matters: The data-center resolution is a formal request for intermunicipal consultation on a project across the river that town officials said could affect Grand Island. The battery-storage authorization starts a negotiation process that could lead to a lease of town land to a private developer and generate revenue for the town if terms and legal reviews are satisfied.
Board members said the LOI authorization does not finalize an agreement; it allows town attorneys to proceed with drafting and negotiation. The motion was explained as a step to lease town property "and help generate some revenue on town for sort," according to remarks recorded in the transcript. The board stressed the lease and any agreements remain subject to further review and legal satisfaction.
Next steps and transparency: The board requested that any finalized LOI, option, lease or related documents return to the board for approval after legal review; residents seeking additional details will need to consult forthcoming staff reports and any subsequent agenda packet.
(Reporting note: the transcript spells some organization names and speaker references inconsistently; the article uses the names as stated at the meeting. Staff documents and public filings should be consulted for final project descriptions and development agreements.)
