GOSHEN – Approval of a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) for a giant Amazon distribution center in Wawayanda was pulled from the agenda of the Orange County Industrial Development Board abruptly on Wednesday.
Consideration of a new Uniform Tax Exemption Policy was also withdrawn. No explanation was given for either move.
Continuation of a public hearing on that new tax exempt policy went ahead as planned with several Orange County residents speaking out against the PILOT for the Amazon facility, saying the company does not need a financial incentive to build. Others said the five-story building would ruin the rural landscape of the town.
Should the Wawayanda project be granted a PILOT, it will be the last one as state legislation, drafted by Senator James Skoufis (D, Cornwall), disallows distribution centers from receiving PILOTs going forward.
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