Q&A: Stream executives say they hear concerns, believe company will be good neighbors

Stream Data Centers executives Oisín Ó Murchú, Chief Development Officer, and Bradley Wells, Senior Site Selection and Development Manager, held an exclusive interview with The Batavian to address ongoing community concerns about their proposed 2.2-million-square-foot data center campus at WNY STAMP in Genesee County, New York. The project, which is scheduled for a site plan review with the Town of Alabama Planning Board, has faced pushback from residents worried about its proximity to two wildlife refuges and Tonawanda Seneca Nation land, as well as a general distrust stemming from previous failed projects by other companies. Ó Murchú and Wells acknowledged these concerns, emphasizing Stream's commitment to being a "good neighbor" and a long-term economic asset. They highlighted the company's efforts to minimize environmental impact, including water usage comparable to an office building and a noise profile designed to be nearly imperceptible at property boundaries. Wells, who lives in Syracuse and grew up in the Southern Tier, stressed his personal connection to upstate New York and his intent to remain involved throughout the project's lifecycle. Stream Data Centers, backed by Apollo Global Management (though executives clarified past ties to Leon Black are irrelevant), operates with a continuous team structure to avoid handover issues. They cited examples of successful community integration in other locations, such as Goodyear, Arizona, where they are actively shaping new ordinances, and Douglas County, Atlanta, where a rezoned project gained community support after factual discussions. The executives reiterated their transparency, providing specific equipment specs and data to address noise concerns, and committed to direct engagement with residents to understand and mitigate any perceived issues.