Montgomery County eyes expansion of business park
By KERRY McAVOY, The Leader-HeraldFONDA - Montgomery County supervisors Tuesday supported a proposed $3.6 million expansion of the Florida Business Park, with one supervisor calling it an "investment in the future."
Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency Director Ken Rose outlined the projected plan to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday night. Rose said the Route 5S business park, which includes the Target distribution center and the under-construction Beech-Nut facility, has less than 10 acres of land left.
The IDA already has purchased 2.6 acres of land and has optioned another 131 acres, owned by Carl Gottier of Amsterdam, to the west of Target. The land spans both sides on Route 5S.
Rose told the supervisors there already is a business interested in moving into the Florida Business Park. Rose said the company, which he declined to name, is looking to put in a 160,000-square-foot facility on the southern side of Route 5S, near the New York State Thruway. The Target and Beech-Nut facilities are on the north side of the road.
Rose said part of the proposed park on the north side of Route 5S could include two 220,000-square-foot facilities as well as an additional 100,000 square-foot-building.
Rose said he is looking to get funding for the project by August or September. He said the interested business hopes to break ground next spring.
The IDA already has spent about $104,000 on engineering, land options and purchase agreements for the proposed project. John McDonald Engineering of Schenectady is about to begin doing preliminary evaluations of the site for development.
According to a project budget given out by Rose, $2.2 million of the $3.6 million project would be spent to extend water and sewer lines from the city of Amsterdam, which would have to agree to the deal.
Rose said he has not gotten any negative feedback from the city about the extension, but is still waiting to hear from them about the project.
Other costs include project engineering, surveys, mapping and about $150,000 of highway construction, including creation of turning lanes, which would need to be undertaken by April 2009.
The supervisors who spoke during Tuesday's meeting all were positive about development at the site.
Amsterdam Town Supervisor Tom DiMezza said the county needs to look toward development to keep the county running.
"I personally feel we should make an investment in the future," DiMezza said. "Whether it's new business or ones we're going to retain."
DiMezza said with large industrial growth in Florida and retail growth on Route 30 in Amsterdam, the supervisors may look toward giving the city some money to help with the water and sewer costs.
Minden Supervisor Tom Quackenbush said the county should move forward with the project
"Why would we not move forward in an area where we have progress," Quackenbush said.
The town of Florida has studied rezoning the land to make it possible for growth. The town Planning Board sent a recommendation to the Town Board June 2 to change to zoning classification to allow growth of the park. The Town Board has not acted on it yet.
Florida Supervisor William Strevy said Tuesday the park would give back to the people in the county.
"This, in a sense, is a gift that keeps on giving, regardless of where it's located," Strevy said.
Canajoharie Supervisor Bob McMahon said the large companies coming into the Florida Business Park are employing a lot of people.
"We will continue to see more of them if we keep the right climate," McMahon said.
Chairman Vito Greco directed Rose to write a resolution to approve money for the project. The supervisors will look into the matter further at Tuesday's Finance Committee meeting.
Kerry McAvoy covers Montgomery County. She can be reached at montco@leaderherald.com.
