Airport Corridor Targeted for Infrastructure Improvements
10/29/2008 (Source: Press & Sun Bulletin)
County Executive Barbara Fiala discusses the $4.2 million dollar sewer grant secured by Senator Libous for the Airport Corridor
TOWN OF MAINE -- A $4.2 million capital grant, announced Wednesday by state Sen. Thomas W. Libous and Broome County Executive Barbara J. Fiala, will provide the funding needed for the start of sewer line installation on the Airport Road corridor.
TOWN OF MAINE -- A $4.2 million capital grant, announced Wednesday by state Sen. Thomas W. Libous and Broome County Executive Barbara J. Fiala, will provide the funding needed for the start of sewer line installation on the Airport Road corridor.
The line is critical to existing and new business development on the approximately six-mile route from Greater Binghamton Airport in Maine to Choconut Center in Union, Libous and county officials said.
The line will be served by the Binghamton-Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Plant. Construction could start as early as fall 2009.
The county is running out of shovel-ready sites, Fiala said. She called the corridor "ripe for development," with the grant helping to spur that growth and putting plans "on the fast track."
"Without sewer, they will not build here on the Airport Road corridor," said Libous, R-Binghamton.
Westcode Inc. at 2226 Airport Road in Maine was touted as a prime example of the economic development possibilities on the corridor.
The company, which makes heating, ventilation and cooling systems for subway cars in New York City, opened in Maine 10 years ago and employs nearly 200 people.
Water and sewage services are critical to the operation's growth, Westcode President Michael Hall said.
The company added a third shift of four employees about a month ago but still needs more workers for that shift and others, he said.
Job openings are for braziers, unskilled labor and other positions.
"We're in the right place at the right time because people want to ditch their cars" and use public transportation because of high gas prices, Hall said about the company's growth.
A new sewer line will help Westcode expand and add workers, he said.
The company's current septic system can't handle much more, in terms of large increases in employment at the facility.
Westcode also uses a lot of water for testing -- 56 gallons a minute for 10 minutes during tests to simulate snow and rain that are conducted atop its units for subway cars, Hall said.
Additional tests on more products strain the company's well and could lead to water shortages in summer.
"You just never know when the end of your well is going to be, especially when you're running a big factory," he said.
Fiala said the county is partnering with the towns of Maine, Union and it hopes Nanticoke to create a water district so new users can tap into an existing water line on the corridor.
Currently, only the airport and county-owned landfill are able to use water from the line.
County officials also said they have more than 200 acres available surrounding Greater Binghamton Airport that they will market for lease to developers and businesses to promote economic development on the corridor.
One available area, near Commercial Drive, has direct runway access, and is ideal for use by an aeronautical business, Broome County Aviation Commissioner Carl Beardsley Jr. said.
Other areas could be used for office space, light industrial space or other uses.
Additional Information:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/27398441#27398441
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