How did we get here?
Under New York State’s Environmental Quality Review (SEQR), the Agency is the Lead Agency for the coordinated review of the Broome Technology Park project. This coordinated review involves participation with state and local agencies.
The GEIS is a part of that SEQR process. A GEIS is designed to evaluate the environmental, social, and economic impacts of major projects such as the Broome Technology Park.
But what actually is this document?
The GEIS is a comprehensive study that looks at how a proposed development could impact the natural environment (like water and open spaces) and the built environment (like roads and utilities).
The goal of the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) is to ensure that all state and local government agencies consider the environmental impacts of their actions alongside social and economic factors during discretionary decision-making. This holistic approach aims to promote sustainable development and protect the environment.
For example, by studying the potential environmental impacts of a broad development, a GEIS allows planners, developers, and regulators to anticipate challenges early, identify opportunities, and streamline approvals. It creates a shared understanding of environmental conditions, infrastructure needs, and community priorities, which helps future projects move forward faster and with fewer surprises.
This process takes time — and that’s by design. A comprehensive GEIS gives the public an opportunity to see both the benefits of potential development and the actions needed to mitigate impacts.
To explore the full SEQR timeline — including completed milestones and what’s ahead — click here.
What's to come?
To date, significant environmental impact assessment analysis has been completed. The full depth and breadth of the topics to be addressed in the GEIS are outlined in a “Scoping Document” made available for public comment last year. The Scoping Document is available for review here.
We’re now completing the remaining studies and validating data to produce a draft GEIS for public review and comment. For example, we recently conducted additional fieldwork to evaluate existing wetlands; we reviewed maps, photographs, and soil samples, and we have been identifying plants and wildlife to better understand how this project could impact the site, providing us an opportunity to address mitigation of any adverse impacts.
We look forward to engaging with local business owners, public officials, and residents interested in the Tech Park to explore how development can deliver maximum public benefit. A significant portion of this outreach will involve facilitating a formal public comment process once the GEIS has been released.
How will Broome grow?
In August, the Wall Street Journal profiled local families working hard to make ends meet, a reminder that affordability remains a daily challenge for many of our neighbors. For those of us who call Broome home, that story underscored a simple truth: development should serve the public good by creating opportunities across the county, from Maine to Binghamton to Kirkwood.
That’s why we continue to pursue the Broome Technology Park. For too long, we’ve watched neighboring regions attract new jobs and investments that bring higher wages, homeownership, and upward mobility within reach for more families. Completing the GEIS is a critical step toward positioning Broome for that same kind of success.
We look forward to continuing the conversation about the Broome Tech Park plan in the months ahead.
For questions, reach out to us at techpark@theagency-ny.com. Share this newsletter with a friend and stay tuned for more updates.