The Delaware County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to support making a planned expansion for Amphenol Aerospace in Sidney easier to complete Wednesday, Sept. 23.
The board approved a resolution in support of Amphenol “obtaining all necessary” state Department of Environmental Conservation “permits and approvals for development of a new plating facility” at 40-60 Delaware St. in Sidney.
After the meeting, Planning Commissioner Shelly Johnson-Bennett said that “they’re proposing a 30,000-square-foot expansion” that would decrease water consumption from 30,000 gallons a day to 5,000 gallons a day, “and so nothing will get discharged to Weir Creek any longer.”
The resolution described plans by Amphenol to “build a state-of-the-art plating facility with consideration to reducing their environmental footprint by incorporating future environmental practices,” like zero liquid discharge for plating, installing a 23-acre solar facility and new air scrubbing systems to reduce emissions.
The resolution specifically requested the DEC consider granting a good cause waiver to allow for “initial stages of construction” to begin while the state continues to review the project. The resolution stated that process has gone on for about two years and increased costs for Amphenol.
The resolution was not included in the meeting’s agenda.
In comments to the board, Johnson-Bennett said that supporting Amphenol was a critical part of supporting the local economy.
The company is looking to invest about $2.5 billion in the facility, she said, and the project site plan was approved about two and a half years ago.
She said a hiccup has been achieving a modification to an air quality permit, largely because of provisions under the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act designating the area as a disadvantaged community and therefore applying additional standards.
She said that the DEC recommended that the company pursue a good cause waiver which would “allow them to start construction.”
Johnson-Bennett said that about 60% of students attending Sidney schools have a parent working for the company.
“This is significant” and “could have profound community impacts if we lose Amphenol,” she said.
“They are our largest employer,” she said of Delaware County.