MONTICELLO — According to the County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency (IDA), there are currently six solar projects going on in Sullivan County, which have exceeded the IDA's goal of having four solar projects. One of the provisions the IDA had when accepting solar applications was that companies will have to let local residents be able to buy into solar farms thus lowering their utility bill.

The IDA announced at the most recent meeting, that NY Delaware I, LLC., a solar project located on the former Baer farm outside of Callicoon, recently changed ownership, making it the Town of Delaware's first active solar farm with construction already underway.

The proposed solar farm will be a two megawatt commercial solar electricity generation facility that will cost approximately $4.6 million and will have 20 to 25 construction jobs in the short term, with an estimated four to five long term part-time jobs once the solar farm is officially open.

Another solar application was also submitted to the IDA in October, NY Delaware II, LLC., is proposing to open a solar farm on Hospital Road in Callicoon. The IDA plans to review and further discuss the application at their next meeting. Both NY Delaware I & II, LLC., are owned by Delaware River Solar, LLC.

The IDA also hopes to have a closing on NY LIBERTY I, LLC., a proposed solar farm that will be located along Kelly Bridge Road, over the Thanksgiving week. The proposed solar farm will be a two megawatt commercial solar electricity generation facility that will cost approximately $4.6 million and will have 20 to 25 short term construction jobs with an estimated four long term part-time jobs.

In other business

The IDA extended the sales tax abatement for the Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center Project from December 1 to May 31, 2018. The request that was to help with guest room renovations and furniture. The extension was authorized under the condition that the Villa Roma will make their October payment to the IDA and bring themselves up to date.