BATAVIA – The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) board of directors advanced 5 projects totaling approximately $582.5 million of investments at its board meeting on Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

The board accepted initial applications from Hecate Energy Cider Solar LLC for a proposed $550 million utility scale solar project in the towns Elba and Oakfield and for community solar projects in the town of Batavia and LeRoy totaling $20 million. The board also approved final incentives for a $12 million tourism hospitality project.

Hecate Energy Cider Solar LLC is proposing to construct a 500-megawatt utility scale solar farm on multiple agricultural properties in the towns of Elba and Oakfield. The $550 million project would generate $73.5 million for host municipalities through a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) and community host agreements, including:

• $13.18 million to Genesee County
• $19.38 million to the Town of Elba
• $12.92 million to the Town of Oakfield
• $16.85 million to the Elba Central School District
• $11.24 million to the Oakfield-Alabama School District

Public hearings will be scheduled for Hecate Energy Cider Solar LLC’s proposed project agreements in the town of Elba and the town of Oakfield.

The GCEDC board also approved a final resolution for 8250 Park Road LLC. The project proposes to invest $12 million for extensive renovations to the Quality Inn & Suites and Palm Island Indoor Water Park.

The tourism and hospitality facility will become an 80-room Holiday Inn and 80-room Candlewood Suites with upgraded hotel rooms, lobby area, event spaces, water park and on-site restaurant. The new facility is anticipated to create 38 new full-time jobs.

8250 Park Road LLC requested property, sales, and mortgage tax assistance of approximately $1.197 million and is estimated to generate $32 of local payroll and tax revenue for every $1 of requested assistance.

The GCEDC board also accepted initial resolutions for 3 community solar projects totaling 10.5-megwatts of energy generation:

• AES Rt 5 Storage, LLC is proposing to construct a 5-megawatt community solar 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 Schools. A public hearing on the proposed project agreement will be scheduled 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 scheduled 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 Schools. A public hearing on the proposed project agreement will be scheduled in the town of Batavia.