Proposed data center planned for former Remington site in Ilion

A significant redevelopment project is underway for a portion of the former Remington Arms facility in Ilion, New York. Turin Hoefler Avenue LLC is proposing to construct a 250,000-square-foot data center on a 7.8-acre parcel, known as Site C at 14 Hoefler Ave. The plan involves enrolling the site in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Brownfield Cleanup Program, a crucial first step to remediate industrial contamination, including heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and copper, from the former gun manufacturing site. Local officials, including Ilion Mayor John Stephens, view the redevelopment as a vital economic revitalization opportunity for the village, which lost approximately 300 jobs when Remington Arms ceased operations in 2024. The project documentation highlights the goal to transform the legacy industrial site into a "21st-century innovation hub" anchored by a data center for AI training, promising to create higher-paying permanent jobs exceeding those lost. It also projects over 1,000 construction jobs and additional local support jobs. Funding support for the broader Remington site's redevelopment planning has been secured, with Empire State Development awarding the Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency $500,000 through the FAST NY program for site planning, environmental assessments, and engineering studies. The proposed data center facility is designed to be 100% electric, powered by the region's clean energy resources, and would leverage Ilion's municipal electric and water systems. Turin Hoefler Avenue LLC is also seeking a waiver for the Brownfield Cleanup Program application fee, citing the site's location within a "Disadvantaged Area" and the substantial community benefits expected from the project. If approved, cleanup and a certificate of completion are anticipated by late 2027.