Concord tax abatement hearings set for March 12

By Dan Hust
MONTICELLO — March 1, 2013 – MONTICELLO — Want to say something about the Concord redevelopment project and the property and sales tax abatements the involved companies are seeking?
The chance arrives on Tuesday, March 12 at 2 p.m. at the Thompson Town Hall in Monticello (near the Home Depot).
That’s when the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) will host public hearings on the three applications for abatements regarding the $1.2 billion EPR/Empire Resorts Concord project.
They’re applying for what could amount to millions of dollars in tax breaks for a casino resort off Joyland Road east of Monticello, including a hotel, relocated racino and indoor water park.
The IDA Board will discuss and vote on the abatements at some point thereafter, though an exact date is yet to be determined (the board regularly meets the second Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. inside the Government Center in Monticello).
Those unable to make it to the March 12 hearings are welcome to submit comments by that date via email to scida@hvc.rr.com or via mail to SC IDA, One Cablevision Center, Ferndale, NY 12734.