Local, state and federal dignitaries gathered Friday at the Village of Frankfort Municipal Building to formally announce the state Public Service Commission’s ruling to allow the village to supply low-cost electric service to the 5S South Business Park.
The commission approved a petition to allow the village’s municipally-owned electric utility to supply power to businesses that locate in the parcel commonly known as the “Pumpkin Patch” last week.
“We had our share of naysayers who said no way would the commission ever allow us to provide power to the business park, or that there was no way the commission would rule in our favor and not National Grid’s, but through our collective efforts we were able to make this a reality,” said Frankfort Mayor Frank Moracco. “This ruling will not only benefit the village of Frankfort, the town of Frankfort and the Frankfort school system, but it will help Herkimer County as a whole.”
Moracco added the business park, which is located directly off the Herkimer County Fair exit of State Route 5S in the town of Frankfort, is already attracting interest from developers.
“I’ve received calls from firms interested in the park and I’ve passed them on to the county Industrial Development Agency,” he said. “I hope we gather here again in the near future for a second announcement that will result in new jobs being created here in Frankfort and Herkimer County.”
“This ruling, this announcement are a prime example of what can happen when all levels of government work together,” said Congressman Michael Arcuri, D - Utica. “There were many hurdles and obstacles that needed to be cleared, and instead of saying this is impossible, we can’t do it, everyone rolled up their sleeves and met every deadline and answered every question. I applaud everyone for their contribution to this effort. This is great news for the entire region.”
The petition, originally filed in May 2009, was a joint effort by the village and town of Frankfort and the Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency. It was supported by Arcuri, state Senator James Seward and Assemblyman Marc Butler and may be the key to bringing hundreds of new jobs to the area, according to Herkimer County Industrial Development Executive Director Mark Feane.
“This site with its excellent transportation routes, water and natural gas service and low-cost electricity will be a real asset as we move forward,” said Feane. “This site will not only allow us to complete with anyone in the state, but it sets us apart from all the other counties. More work needs to be done, but a developer could not ask for more. This business park is now a premier site.”
“If I was the one writing this story I would say Frankfort is a ‘turn on,’” said Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Scarano. “The village of Frankfort is a ‘turn on’ for economic development and a ‘turn on’ for job creation. The village has flipped the switch and now the entire Mohawk Valley will benefit from this effort to bring low-cost power to the business park.”
The village charges four cents per kilowatt for its electricity, according Department of Public Works Superintendent Ron Vivacqua. The cost is 50 to 75 percent less expensive then the competition, he said, adding the village estimates the power will be installed and ready for clients by spring 2011.
Moracco said the county will cover the projected $365,000 cost to route power into the park up front, and that the town and Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District agreed to a payment in lieu of taxes agreement where a portion of taxes from businesses that locate in the park will go to defray the county’s cost. The town and school will receive the full taxes when the cost is covered, he said.
“We have a landfill, one of the cleanest aquifers in New York state and low-cost power. Who could ask for anything more,” said District 8 Legislator John Brezinski. “When you combine all three that is a package that is very enticing to businesses. It’s a package that will be hard to compete against.”
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Local, state and federal dignitaries gathered Friday at the Village of Frankfort Municipal Building to formally announce the state Public Service Commission’s ruling to allow the village to supply low-cost electric service to the 5S South Business Park.
The commission approved a petition to allow the village’s municipally-owned electric utility to supply power to businesses that locate in the parcel commonly known as the “Pumpkin Patch” last week.
“We had our share of naysayers who said no way would the commission ever allow us to provide power to the business park, or that there was no way the commission would rule in our favor and not National Grid’s, but through our collective efforts we were able to make this a reality,” said Frankfort Mayor Frank Moracco. “This ruling will not only benefit the village of Frankfort, the town of Frankfort and the Frankfort school system, but it will help Herkimer County as a whole.”
Moracco added the business park, which is located directly off the Herkimer County Fair exit of State Route 5S in the town of Frankfort, is already attracting interest from developers.
“I’ve received calls from firms interested in the park and I’ve passed them on to the county Industrial Development Agency,” he said. “I hope we gather here again in the near future for a second announcement that will result in new jobs being created here in Frankfort and Herkimer County.”
“This ruling, this announcement are a prime example of what can happen when all levels of government work together,” said Congressman Michael Arcuri, D - Utica. “There were many hurdles and obstacles that needed to be cleared, and instead of saying this is impossible, we can’t do it, everyone rolled up their sleeves and met every deadline and answered every question. I applaud everyone for their contribution to this effort. This is great news for the entire region.”
The petition, originally filed in May 2009, was a joint effort by the village and town of Frankfort and the Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency. It was supported by Arcuri, state Senator James Seward and Assemblyman Marc Butler and may be the key to bringing hundreds of new jobs to the area, according to Herkimer County Industrial Development Executive Director Mark Feane.
“This site with its excellent transportation routes, water and natural gas service and low-cost electricity will be a real asset as we move forward,” said Feane. “This site will not only allow us to complete with anyone in the state, but it sets us apart from all the other counties. More work needs to be done, but a developer could not ask for more. This business park is now a premier site.”
“If I was the one writing this story I would say Frankfort is a ‘turn on,’” said Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Scarano. “The village of Frankfort is a ‘turn on’ for economic development and a ‘turn on’ for job creation. The village has flipped the switch and now the entire Mohawk Valley will benefit from this effort to bring low-cost power to the business park.”
The village charges four cents per kilowatt for its electricity, according Department of Public Works Superintendent Ron Vivacqua. The cost is 50 to 75 percent less expensive then the competition, he said, adding the village estimates the power will be installed and ready for clients by spring 2011.
Moracco said the county will cover the projected $365,000 cost to route power into the park up front, and that the town and Frankfort-Schuyler Central School District agreed to a payment in lieu of taxes agreement where a portion of taxes from businesses that locate in the park will go to defray the county’s cost. The town and school will receive the full taxes when the cost is covered, he said.
“We have a landfill, one of the cleanest aquifers in New York state and low-cost power. Who could ask for anything more,” said District 8 Legislator John Brezinski. “When you combine all three that is a package that is very enticing to businesses. It’s a package that will be hard to compete against.”
