I have appreciated the opportunity at public meetings and personal outreach to share the facts of both the proposed STREAM Data Centers project and the proposed financial agreements.

Despite providing detailed and direct information about the proposed project at the Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP), there is a separate and growing amount of incorrect information being shared about the project and the financial benefits it will generate.  As we receive public input on the project, I want to make sure the individuals know exactly what STREAM is proposing to build, and the economics of the proposed incentives. 

The following are details of the project that we are seeking feedback on.

Stream Data Centers would build three 733,338 square-foot buildings on 90 acres that were rezoned over a decade ago with allowed uses including data centers.

The project would hire 125 people for roles that students in our high schools and local colleges are trained for, with an average salary of $88,000. Another 1,200 skilled trades workers would have five years of steady work to construct these buildings.

Stream Data Centers would use a portion of electrical capacity that was approved for STAMP’s use by the independent operator of the state’s electrical grid. The company will pay for all of their infrastructure and additional improvements for electrical infrastructure in our region related to this project. No electrical infrastructure costs from STAMP or this project will be passed on to electric ratepayers.

The project would use 20,000 gallons per day of water already available at STAMP. This is less than the average farm in our community uses on a daily basis.

The proposed incentives requested by Stream Data Centers include no transfer of current or future taxpayer funds or payments of cash.

In return, Stream Data Centers would fund significant projects through property tax payments above market rate to the County, Town of Alabama and Oakfield Central School District.  These payments will be used to reduce costs for our entire community and improve public health and safety, education, and water infrastructure across Genesee County.

The proposed agreements that the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) has negotiated with STREAM US Data Centers will generate a direct financial benefit for our community that provides a 3-to-1 return.

The project will generate over $550 million in new property and sales tax revenues directly to  local municipalities and schools.

This includes:

• Over $7 million of annual payments to the Town of Alabama, Oakfield-Alabama Central School District, and Genesee County.
• The annual payments would increase by 2% annually. Over 30 years, these payments will total  $285 million to our community.
• The project will generate an estimated additional $9 million per year of new sales tax revenue for Genesee County. Over the same 30-year term, this revenue source would generate $270 million for local services.

The sales tax exemption requested by the project directly relate to investments to build and equip the buildings, and are not levied in 14 other states.  Again, these exemptions do not result in any payment to the company, so no money is being traded for jobs.

These facts will continue to be shared at a public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19 at the Town of Alabama Fire Hall. I invite you to join me there.