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GCEDC approves incentives for Batavia solar farms
GCEDC approves incentives for Batavia solar farms
The Genesee County Economic Development Center has approved incentives for the construction of two solar farms in the Town of Batavia.
The developer, Pearl Solar LLC, will invest roughly $6 million to build two 2MW community solar farms, for a combined total of 4MW at 2901 Pearl St. Road, or Route 33. Pearl Solar will receive incentives of $472,000 in sales and property tax exemptions.
According to a notice of public hearing, the solar array will be interconnected to the National Grid utility and will provide electricity to customers within the utility.
“While we were concerned about the fact that the project will only create one job, there are other temporary economic impacts such as construction and installation jobs, as well as benefits to the local community in approving a renewable energy project of this nature,” GCEDC board Chairman Paul Battaglia said in a statement.
GCEDC officials said among the benefits of the project are an enhanced property tax payment through a 15-year payment in lieu of taxes, resulting in roughly $311,000 in property tax payments to Genesee County and the Pembroke Central School District.
Additionally, local residents who sign an agreement with Pearl Solar will receive a 10 percent energy discount, and Pearl Solar will make a $50,000 donation to the Genesee County STEM2 STAMP workforce development program when the two projects are completed.
“This project fits into our local economic development strategy and marketing alignment as we are finding that renewable energy is becoming a preference item for site selectors or companies conducting site location searches,” GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde said. “The project also will have no carbon footprint, providing environmental benefits to local residents, and just as important, it aligns with Gov. Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision initiative.”
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