Wellsville – Wellsville Business Park LLC, located at the former Dresserland facility on Coats Street, is seeking pilots for the proposed $1 million infrastructure project.
Craig Clark, executive director of the Alleghany County Industrial Development Department, moderated the hearing month to allow citizens to release record statements related to IDA’s involvement in the project. There were dozens of people at the meeting.
A pilot is a law that pays property taxes in lieu of taxes made to compensate the government for some or all of the property tax revenue lost due to tax-free ownership or use of property. It is often used as an incentive to attract business and development.
Wellsville Business Park has been operating at its former Dresser Land facility since 2021. RMS (Rotating Machinery Services) in Houston, Texas, is a subsidiary of Olean and Kinley Construction, Texas.
A total of 51 people are employed at the facility.
The proposed project consists of the acquisition of three lands totaling about 100 acres of land on Court Street and Riverside Drive in the village and town of Wellsville, as well as an existing complex that includes approximately 420,000 square feet of space. The project also includes the renovation of the facility and the acquisition and installation of related equipment, machinery, equipment and other tangible personal property.
The company is seeking certain financial support from the IDA, including payments in lieu of taxes estimated at $340,000.
Clark said that hearing records will be prepared and reviewed by members of the IDA in relation to IDA considerations for the proposed project. He said the purpose of the hearing was to seek public comment.
Questions were raised by hearing attendees, including Wellsville town supervisor Shad Alsworth and Village trustee Mike Rosuke, and former employee of Dresserland, Jane Nicholson, who worked in the office. Tim Corrigan, who lives near the facility, also had questions.
Alsworth explained that when the pilot was issued, taxpayers wanted to pick up the costs and find out, “Is there any value for each taxpayer?”
Clark explained that if space is occupied and revenues are being made, the company plans to invest $1 million in infrastructure and create 15 new jobs over the course of 10 years.
After hearing Clark’s answer, Rosuke asked, “Why don’t you invest in people in the community? This makes no sense to me.”
Nicholson was worried about the infrastructure in his office area and asked what to do there as there was a crack in the wall when he worked there.
Clark said there is a code inspection in the infrastructure.
Corrigan said he lives nearby and is interested in the kind of business that Wellsville Business Park has captivated over the years.
Clark explained that the facility is considering companies related to solar projects storage and turbine support.
Near the end of the meeting, Nicholson expressed concern about the state of the property, saying that Clark would communicate these concerns to company officials after saying, “I am not currently taking care of the property or take pride in the property. I don’t think people have any real concerns.”
