Genesee County residents urge IDA to reject data center, subsidies

More than 200 residents and members of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation packed a public hearing in the Town of Alabama, New York, to vehemently oppose a proposed data center at the STAMP industrial park. Grandell Logan, a Tonawanda Seneca Nation member, described the project as an "existential threat" to their territory's Big Woods and called the $1.46 billion tax break package requested by developer Stream U.S. Data Centers "irresponsible." Speakers at the five-and-a-half-hour hearing expressed concerns over the data center's environmental impact, including its need for 500 megawatts of electricity and 20,000 gallons of water daily, potential noise (up to 65 decibels) from 12 backup diesel generators, and the facility's potential to reduce property values. Many residents, including Corfu's Matthew Orleman, criticized the extensive corporate subsidies. The project is also linked to Apollo Global Management, which acquired Stream and has faced scrutiny over past connections between its co-founder and Jeffrey Epstein, leading to calls for greater transparency. Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) President and CEO Mark Masse defended the project, stating it would create 1,000 construction jobs annually for five years and 125 permanent jobs, along with over half a billion dollars in fees and sales tax over 30 years, which would help fund water infrastructure upgrades. However, opposition remains strong, with Alabama resident Jim Joyner questioning the rush to approve the project and citing state lawmakers' proposed three-year moratorium on data center construction. Amy Perry Brock and Rebecca LeFevre also spoke against the project, highlighting concerns about the need for AI-powered data centers and questioning the fiscal and environmental responsibility of the proposal. Melissa Smith, another Nation member, vowed continued resistance, stating, "We are all committed to stopping this environmental catastrophe." A final vote on the project by the Genesee County IDA board has not yet been scheduled.