STREAM officials on proposed data center in Genesee County

Stream Data Centers is planning a major data center project at the STAMP plant in the Town of Alabama, Genesee County, New York. The proposed 90-acre, three-building campus is projected to create 6,000 construction jobs over five years and 125 permanent positions, injecting billions into the Western New York economy. However, the plan also includes nearly $1.5 billion in tax breaks, sparking debate. Opponents raise concerns about the high public subsidies, with one group calculating the cost at over $11 million per permanent job, which they argue is among the highest for such projects. Environmental and quality of life issues are also prominent, including proximity to a wildlife refuge, Native American land, and potential noise pollution. A community activist highlighted that states are proposing moratoriums due to unknown impacts on people and the environment. Mirko, Stream's Chief Development Officer, and Bradley Wills, Senior Site Development and Selection and Development Manager, defended the project. They clarified that the tax incentives were pre-established by the STAMP park to attract large investments, not specifically for Stream. They also emphasized that the 125 direct permanent jobs, offering over $100,000 in compensation and benefits, are supplemented by numerous trade jobs for maintaining critical infrastructure and other indirect positions in landscaping and security. Addressing environmental worries, Stream officials stated their 26 years of responsible development, citing examples of community support for their existing facilities. They noted the project's noise requirement of 45 decibels at the property boundary, comparing it to a dishwasher. Regarding electricity concerns, they assured that the STAMP park's electrical infrastructure, designed for 600 megawatts, is ready for grid acceptance, with Western New York's grid being 70-80% carbon-free. They also confirmed the project is not related to crypto mining, though specific client details remain confidential due to non-disclosure agreements.