BATAVIA — The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Tuesday accepted an application for financial incentives for a $550 million solar farm project in the towns of Elba and Oakfield. It may consider approval of financial incentives for the project when it meets in December, GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde said Tuesday.
Hecate Energy Cider Solar LLC is proposing that the 500-megawatt farm be on multiple agricultural properties in the two towns. Hecate would pay over $73.5 million over 30 years in PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) and host community agreements to Genesee County, the two towns and the Elba and Oakfield-Alabama central school districts, the GCEDC said.
The county would get $13.18 million through a host community agreement with Hecate. The town of Elba would get $19.38 million total through a PILOT and host community agreement, the town of Oakfield $12.92 million through the same kinds of agreements, The Elba Central School District would get $16.85 million and O-A School District, $11.24 million through separate PILOTs.
A public hearing will be scheduled. The GCEDC board’s next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 1.
“We really don’t want a vote to finally induce the benefits until we know the towns and the county have voted and approved,” Hyde said. “We can vote to approve the inducement of the PILOT, subject to affirmative votes by the towns and the county on the host agreement, which all lands in the window of the first week of December through the 14th.”
The board on Tuesday approved granted developer 8250 Park Road LLC for $1,197,921 in property, sales, and mortgage tax assistance for the project, which is estimated to generate $32 of economic activity for every $1 of assistance.
The board also approved initial resolutions for three community solar projects, totaling 10.5 megawatts of energy generated.
AES Rt 5 Storage, LLC is proposes building a 5-megawatt project on West Main Road in Le Roy. The $11.01 million project would generate $597,180 in PILOT payments, host payments and real property taxes to Genesee County, the town of Le Roy, and the Le Roy Central School District. A public hearing on the proposed project agreement will take place in the town of Le Roy.
RPNY Solar 6, LLC is proposing to construct a 3-megawatt community solar project on Alexander Road in Batavia. The $5.97 million project would generate $447,748 in PILOT payments, host payments and real property taxes to Genesee County, the town of Batavia, and the Alexander Central Schools. A public hearing on the proposed project agreement will be held in the town of Batavia.
RPNY Solar 7, LLC is proposing to construct a 2.5-megawatt community solar project on Alexander Road in Batavia. The $3.55 million project would generate $373,124 in PILOT payments, host payments, and real property taxes to Genesee County, the town of Batavia, and the Batavia City School District. A public hearing on the proposed project agreement will take place in the town of Batavia.
