A 10-megawatt solar project in the town of Busti has been given final approval for tax breaks.

During a meeting this week of the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, board members approved two 5-megawatt solar projects located on 66 acres at 4542 Barker St. Ext., which is adjacent to the Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant.

IDA officials said the development will create 37 construction jobs and one half-time permanent position.

Dennis Ryan, chief executive officer for Busti Solar Project LLC, said they’ve been working on this project since 2018. “We’re very excited to have the opportunity for this project because it’s going to be the start of a couple of other really cool energy related projects,” he said.

The project, which is divided into two separate solar arrays, is expected to cost $17,608,000 to construct. Ryan said they have the funding lined up so they can begin immediately.

Rich Dixon with the county IDA said there is a community hosts agreement in place to benefit the local school district.

Ryan said they are making a community benefit donation to the town of Busti for $20,000 to $30,000. Over the lifespan of the project, Ryan said it will total around $750,000.

He said the town plans on using that money as matching funds for different grants it applies for. “If our $20,000 could help them procure $100,000 worth of impact through grants and such, that’s a win-win for everybody,” Ryan said.

He said that money is in addition to the Payment In Lieu Of Taxes agreement.

Ryan said they are buying the land, instead of leasing it.

“Our goal is to be a locally owned company, that uses local employment, that offers local work, force training,” he said.

He added they have “three other project in the pipeline” but didn’t specify where they would be located in the county.

Generally, the local municipality has to give its necessary approval before the county IDA will consider PILOT agreements for taxes.

Geise said last year they were looking to cap the number of new solar projects until the approved ones get built, but added those that had already begun would be eligible for consideration for tax breaks.

This solar project in Busti is different from the one that is currently in state Supreme Court. Solar Liberty filed an Article 78 lawsuit in April asking the court to annul the town’s March letter forcing Solar Liberty to restart the development process for solar panels on 60 to 90 acres of undeveloped land at 1255 S. Main St., Busti, on land owned by PPP Future Development Inc. That project consists of a ground-mounted solar panel installation with three solar fields totaling 28,080 solar panels capable of producing 9 megawatts of power.