The Onondaga County Legislature on Tuesday voted along party lines to spend $27 million dollars from the county’s general fund to buy up land to attract businesses to the area.
The $27 million will be loaned to the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency, and the agency will buy the land. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon has said the land could house companies that supply critical resources needed by Micron.
McMahon first publicly floated the plan during his State of the County speech in March.
The Legislature’s Republican caucus maintained that the spending is necessary for the county to maximize the benefit of drawing Micron to the area.
“This $27 million grant is part of a larger private, public partnership that has already leveraged billions in federal, state and private dollars. If we do not act, we risk stalling momentum,” Legislator Mark Olson said. “But if we do act boldly and wisely, we’re helping write a new chapter in Onondaga County.”
The Democratic caucus — which includes five legislators — opposed the spending. They argued spending $27 million comes at a time of community confusion regarding Micron, and public fear surrounding proposed cuts to federal funding.
The $27 million came as part of a $33 million package of expenditures, including $5 million for housing subsidies and $1 million for technology investments.
Democrats attempted to delay a vote on loaning the $27 million to OCIDA, but Republicans said legislators had ample time to review the legislation while it went through the Legislature’s committee review process. Two Legislature committees reviewed the proposal.
Legislator David Knapp, who chairs the economic committee and sponsored the legislation, warned other counties could house supply chain companies that could create more jobs.
Before the Legislature began voting, it held a public comment period. Four constituents spoke out against allocating more Micron-related money.
Melissa Ross, on behalf of the group CNY Solidarity, delivered a petition calling on Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and the Onondaga Legislature to hold a public forum aimed at discussing developments around Micron, including the $27 million in funds for OCIDA. Elaine Denton, a Manlius Democrat challenging Olson in District 10, then urged the Legislature to consider using the $27 million earmarked for OCIDA to instead build more housing and improve the county’s existing infrastructure.
“There are more important issues to use this money for than being a real estate company for businesses,” Denton said. “We have resources to help companies locate here without having to buy the property for them.”
Legislator Dan Romeo broke with his Democratic peers, and said he was voting ‘no’ for what he called “personal reasons.”
“I’m glad that we are supporting suppliers, I’m glad that we are supporting housing. I just don’t agree with how we’re doing it,” Romeo said.
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