Town of Tonawanda seeks approval of up to $26M from state for raw water project

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The Town of Tonawanda is seeking approval of up to $26 million in state funding to make improvements to the raw water system that maintains the River Road Industrial Corridor, which various industrial facilities in the area rely on, the town announced Tuesday.

Town officials said the need for new infrastructure has increased since the closure of Sumitomo Rubber last November, adding that the redevelopment of the facility could draw new manufacturers to the area to stand alongside 3M and Evonik.

"If the project doesn't move forward, I can tell you right now, Evonik I would think would have to move out, they would have to close," said Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Joe Emminger. "They don't have an option."

The current businesses in the area rely on outdated raw water intakes and pumping infrastructure from the NRG Huntley Plant, which closed back in 2016, but still sells water to the nearby businesses, officials said.

“The River Road Industrial Corridor is the manufacturing hub in all of Western New York, supporting over 5,000 jobs,” Emminger said in a news release. “Securing a long-term raw water supply solution is essential to preserving existing jobs, attracting new business, and ensuring the continued economic vitality of our community.”

Local leaders are concerned about the decommissioning of NRG's raw water intakes and pumping facilities, which they said would negatively impact other manufacturers along River Road.

The town is seeking anywhere from $20 million to $26 million from the state to "offset the initial $26 million capital investment." Town officials and engineering consultants finished an initial assessment of the current infrastructure and projected costs.

By April of this year, the town hopes to finalize agreements with industrial customers and hopes to secure state funding by 2026. Their goal for the start of construction is by the end of this year.