Calverton Aviation & Technology

CAT has backed away from its air cargo proposal for EPCAL and now says its development plan is in flux. The IDA's review of CAT's application for tax breaks in the absence of a firm plan is improper, the chairperson of the State Senate's government watchdog committee said. First District Sen. Anthony Palumbo, a member of that committee, agreed.

Riverhead Industrial Development Agency board members on Wednesday questioned representatives of the Triple Five affiliate in contract to buy more than 1,600 acres at Calverton Enterprise Park from Riverhead Town about the company’s finances, bringing what has primarily been a closed-door vetting process out into the public eye.

Calverton Aviation & Technology will attend another public information session with the Riverhead Industrial Development Agency to discuss plans for the EPCAL site, the Riverhead IDA announced in a press release issued last night.

CAT has been conducting a gaslighting campaign since its Sept. 21 presentation to the Riverhead IDA sparked public outcry over a proposed air cargo use at the EPCAL facility in Calverton.

Guest column: What was actually revealed last night was an unwillingness to acknowledge the obvious: that our current decision-makers lack the confidence and competency to either own or fix the problem that is EPCAL. With a staggeringly bad result.

“I personally apologize for the confusion that was created when it [an air cargo hub] was referenced by a professional consultant as a hypothetical concept of full buildout,” Calverton Aviation & Technology CEO Justin Ghermezian told the Riverhead IDA board at the Aug. 8, 2023 public information meeting. Residents stepped to the podium to say they didn't believe the applicant's re-characterization of the plans presented last September.

Officials can require the developer to file covenants ensuring that this property will never be used for air cargo. Let's protect our environment and use our industrial land and public dollars to support employers that will benefit local workers. Long Island can have good jobs and clean air.

Representatives from Calverton Aviation & Technology will update the Riverhead Industrial Development Agency and Riverhead residents on their current vision for the proposed project at Calverton Enterprise Park on Monday, Aug. 7, immediately following the regular IDA meeting. A public comment period will be provided.

Guest column: Calverton Aviation & Technology CEO Justin Ghermezian says the company "will continue to work with the town to create a plan" for EPCAL consistent with the town's vision for the site and "these development plans will not include a cargo jetport."

Hubbard said even though the proposal may comply with zoning, "it's not anything we're ever going to let happen." He also said he expects CAT to present modified plans to the IDA and said he's not sure the IDA will approve the application for financial assistance anyway.