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Staff delays data‑center briefing, announces EPA brownfield grant through Southern Tier 8
Summary
County planning staff said its data center report needs more time and will be pushed to early fall; staff also reported an EPA brownfield site assessment grant via Southern Tier 8 and confirmed trolley transfer plans and invoicing changes.
Otsego County planning staff told the IGA committee the county's data center report requires further work to capture project complexity and that a fuller presentation is likely in early fall.
"This is a very complex ... issue," Tammy Harris said, adding that staff reviewed an initial draft and will take extra time to make the briefing useful for decision‑making. Harris said she plans to check back with the committee in August on timing.
Harris also reported progress on local transportation and brownfield efforts. She said staff and DOT agreed that repairing the county trolley "doesn't make sense" and that the county will seek a new owner. The county processed an invoice and implemented weekly vouchering so the trolley operator can submit weekly vouchers and receive payment.
On environmental assessment, Harris announced Southern Tier 8 was awarded an EPA brownfield site assessment grant. "They are working with our county and Tompkins County as key partners," Harris said. The initial grant will fund assessments to identify potential environmental issues and could lead to further remediation funding.
Staff described working from a preliminary inventory of candidate brownfield sites compiled from desktop work and intern outreach. A consultant engaged through Southern Tier 8 will help narrow potential sites for assessment; examples raised included the Linden Corridor and a county highway garage site with fuel tanks. Harris said the assessment is focused on cleanup potential rather than immediate development plans.
Harris also reported that the county's comprehensive plan grant application is progressing; staff are coordinating with partners to reflect local priorities in the application. Awards for that grant cycle are typically announced around December, she said.
