O’Mara secures state funding for major sewer district expansion project in the town of Milo, Yates County: Local officials say project will maintain jobs, create new economic opportunities

Penn Yan, N.Y., October 28—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) today announced that he has secured $450,000 in state funding to support a major sewer district extension project in the Town of Milo, Yates County.

The town will utilize the state assistance to undertake a major expansion of its public sewer district, a move that will maintain existing jobs and encourage the expansion of businesses currently located at the Penn Yan Airport, help attract new businesses, and benefit other business owners and residents along Old Bath Road. 

O’Mara said, “I’m grateful to have this opportunity to support this important sewer expansion project in the Town of Milo.  It’s a smart investment in public infrastructure that’s going to maintain and create jobs, benefit area residents and strengthen the future of economic growth and opportunity in Yates County.  I can’t say enough about all of the hard working and planning that’s been undertaken by Town of Milo Supervisor Church and her team together with Steve Griffin and his team at the Finger Lakes Economic Development Center.  They’re working day in and day out to make a difference for local communities.”

Finger Lakes Economic Development Center (EDC) CEO Steve Griffin said, “On behalf of the Finger Lakes Economic Development Center, we are very appreciative of Senator O’Mara’s efforts to help the Town of Milo extend public sewer to the Penn Yan Airport and Bath Road.  Public infrastructure is vital to successful economic development efforts.  This grant will help several local businesses expand and greatly assist us in our efforts to attract additional businesses to Yates County.  What impressed me most about this particular grant was the Senator’s outreach to us.  The Senator remembered previous conversations we had regarding the Airport and the businesses along Bath Road and when an opportunity presented itself where he could help, he notified us and we started working on it. Senator O’Mara has proven to be a very dedicated supporter of economic development within Yates County and New York State and this grant is just the latest example of that.”

Town of Milo Supervisor Leslie Church said, “The Town of Milo appreciates the support of Senator O’Mara for providing the resources to create and retain businesses that will also maintain the town’s rural character and protect Keuka Lake.  The benefits to this community are significant.”

Local officials said that the project will preserve between 60 and 70 high-paying jobs at the businesses currently located at the airport, as well as help facilitate the future expansion of these existing businesses since their current septic system location and parcel size limits on-site growth.  The project will leverage marketing of readily available airport building lots.  The Town of Milo’s expanded sewer district will also significantly reduce the fees for additional businesses and homeowners to join.

Businesses currently located at the Penn Yan Airport are: Seneca Flight Operations, Penn Yan Aero and Aire Tech Rotorcraft Services.