VESTAL, NY (WSKG) - Broome County’s economic development arm, The Agency, will consider an application for $1.7 million in tax breaks over the next 15 years to Canopy Growth, an industrial hemp company, on Wednesday.
Canopy Growth wants to lead the local push for industrial hemp. It’s applying for a standard payment-in-lieu-of-taxes, or PILOT program. This summer, the company opened a $150 million industrial park in Kirkwood in Broome County. Its hope is to become a hub for industrial hemp, which can be used in make-up, clothing and construction equipment.
“I think we fit the bill of somebody who is a prime recipient," said Jordan Sinclair, a spokesman for Canopy Growth. "We’re coming into the community, we’re taking an existing piece of infrastructure in that building and we’re improving it a great deal.”
A public hearing in Kirkwood earlier this week was sparsely attended. But Kirkwood Town Supervisor Gordon Kniffen did express concern over Canopy Growth’s ability to keep its employment promises. "We like you people, we're business friendly, we want business to come here to Kirkwood, but I don't even get answers," Kniffen said. "I'm the supervisor, I'm supposed to have some power and some weight on things, right?"
Broome County's, The Agency, is scheduled to meet Wednesday at 12:00 P.M. to consider Canopy Growth's application.