Data center concerns again raised at Ilion Village Board meeting

During a recent Ilion Village Board of Trustees meeting on May 11, residents from Ilion and Mohawk reiterated their opposition to a potential artificial intelligence (AI) data center planned for the former Remington Arms property, now owned by Turin Management. Resident Jasmine Medina sought updates on the parcel, but Mayor John Stephens informed attendees there was no new information available, advising them to monitor village or Turin Management websites. Nolan Bronillett from Mohawk expressed general unease about the previous redevelopment proposal, while Michele Medina voiced strong opposition, citing her observations of data centers elsewhere and arguing that an AI center would not benefit Ilion's infrastructure or job market. Trustee Daniel Sheffield also stated his opposition, calling a recent story about the data center premature. The meeting also addressed other community issues, including traffic concerns on Otsego Street raised by Elvis Bajrektarevic, and the possibility of creating a village Facebook page for updates. Mayor Stephens acknowledged all comments and confirmed that discussions about these topics had taken place. He also clarified that an upcoming Mohawk Valley Economic Development District public hearing on May 18 at the Municipal Building Auditorium concerns EPA funding for environmental cleanup at the Remington site, not the data center project itself. Other village business included the swearing-in of new Trustee Joseph F. White, discussions about condemned vacant properties and a lack of funds for demolition, and the approval of a $12,000 water system vulnerability assessment required by the Department of Health. The village continues to seek assistance from the county land bank for property demolition.