HomeMy WebLinkAboutI - 08 Homer Solar Energy Center Correspondence (MacLean)4260 North Road
McGraw, NY 13101-9507
May 19, 2022
Tom Williams
Cortlandville Supervisor
The Raymond G. Thorpe Municipal Building, 3577 Terrace Road
Cortland, NY 13045
Dear Supervisor Williams:
I'm writing to express my support of the Homer Solar Energy Center. For decades my family and I have
been proud local dairy farmers here in Cortland County before selling the farm in 2016. This project will
bring much needed revenue, jobs, and support for agriculture across Cortland County, including in the
towns of Homer, Cortlandville and Solon.
This project will help eliminate real estate and school tax burdens. It will take a lot of pressure off
struggling farmers and allow beef cattle to be raised on land not part of the project.
I approve of a financial offer from EDF Renewables for a PILOT and host community agreement that will
deliver tremendous benefits directly to Cortlandville-- benefits that are greater than our town would see
under full taxation. I know you agree this would be a step in the right direction for Cortlandville and is
something we can all get behind. I urge you to express the town's support of the proposal to the
Cortland County IDA Board and allow this project to move forward.
We see many benefits this project will bring to the community including nearly $10 million in direct
payments to the Towns of Homer, Cortlandville, and Solon and associated school districts in just the first
20 years of operation. Once up and running, with the PILOT and Host Community Agreement, the land
that Homer Solar will sit on will generate nearly five times the amount of revenue than it currently does.
Homer Solar will also create up to 150 union construction jobs. And after construction wraps, there will
be three full-time positions during the operational life of the project.
Through land agreements, the Homer Solar Energy Center will support the agricultural economy by
providing me, landowners, and farmers like me, with a stable source of income. Homer Solar presents a
timely opportunity for Cortland County famers to keep land in their families as economic pressures drive
many farms out of business. Solar is commensurate land use that provides greater economic output
than the land currently provides. And when the leases expire, the land will return to its original state.
The Homer Solar Energy Center isn't only about us, but our children and families for generations to
come. I love this town and community. I hope we can count on your support for this project moving
forward. I urge you to support the Homer Solar project.
Thank you,
Thomas MacLean