DICKINSON, N.Y. — The Broome County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) will serve as the lead agency for a state environmental quality review of the proposed Broome Technology Park spanning the towns of Maine and Union.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has designated the IDA as the lead agency for the New York State Environmental Quality Review (SEQRA) environmental impact assessment of the property, per the Wednesday announcement from The Agency.
The Agency is the lead economic-development organization for Broome County, governing both the Broome County IDA and the Broome County Local Development Corporation (LDC).
The ruling allows the IDA to begin a “comprehensive, multi-step” process for developing a generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) analyzing the potential environmental impacts of a proposed sustainably designed technology park on approximately 526-acres.
While the IDA will lead the review, it plans to undertake a community-oriented process in which there will be multiple opportunities for public comment and input that can help shape the vision for a sustainable shovel-ready tech park.
“This project is focused on securing a bright economic future for Broome County as technology-related development booms across upstate,” Stacey Duncan, CEO of the Leadership Alliance, said in the announcement. “We believe that Broome County not only can lead the state in achieving sustainable development, we also can create a site that maximizes generational economic opportunities and makes a positive impact on the region. Our focus in the months ahead is on working with the community to hone a shared vision for the site that will meet diverse needs.”
Leadership Alliance is the strategic partnership between the Broome County IDA/LDC and the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce.
The IDA will set a timeline for the environmental review process and will announce to the public “in the weeks ahead.” The process is expected to start immediately and continue into 2025.
During that time, the IDA intends to hold a variety of public–input sessions. The IDA said public input will be “crucial” in shaping a plan for a “sustainably designed technology park that makes the greatest positive impact” on Broome County and the Southern Tier.