By Paul Post
Armed with nearly $5.7 million in state and federal funds, Warren and Washington counties plan to develop an industrial park near Champlain Canal Lock 8 in Fort Edward.
General Electric Company used the 82-acre site as a dewatering facility for its massive Hudson River PCB dredging project.
When work was done, the property now called Canalside Energy Park was taken over by the Counties of Warren and Washington Industrial Development Agency.
In November, the IDA was awarded $4,739,000 from the Fast NY Program that will be used to install sewer and upgrade water service in an effort to attract new industry. Another $950,000 in congressional member funding has been obtained from U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer and U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik.
IDA Chairman and Hampton Supervisor David O’Brien said the property would be well-suited for some type of agricultural processing facility, or a green energy company involved with solar, battery or wind turbine manufacturing.
It’s hoped that construction on new water and sewer infrastructure can be begin next spring or summer. Such work would likely take about a year to complete, he said.
The site has tri-modal access via rail, roadway and the Champlain Canal.