Guest Column
An Objective Look at the Riverhead IDA
Former Riverhead IDA Board member Larry Simms in a series of three essays discusses the IDA's projects, processes and impacts.
Government
After months of protests and a night of drama, residents express relief and joy at Riverhead IDA’s decision to deny EPCAL...
They had come bearing paper signs to convey their message the IDA board, not knowing what the outcome would be. By the time the IDA meeting was over Monday night, jubilant residents celebrated what many saw as a hard-fought victory.
Business
Riverhead IDA scheduled to take up resolution Monday on Triple Five’s plans for Calverton
The Riverhead IDA is scheduled to take up a resolution Monday evening deciding Calverton Aviation & Technology's financial capability to develop the Calverton Enterprise Park— a decision crucial to how Riverhead's $40 million land deal proceeds — or whether it proceeds at all.
Business
As school funding runs dry, Riverhead residents call to shut down economic development org
A growing local faction is demanding that the Riverhead Industrial Development Agency be dissolved.
News
IDA action on Triple Five request for tax breaks without firm development plan is ‘improper,’ ‘inappropriate’ & ‘irresponsible,’ senators say
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.
Letters
Citing ‘extreme financial burden’ on school district from tax exemptions, RCSD asks the town IDA to voluntarily stop exempting school taxes
Citing the loss of more than $15 million in tax revenue over the past decade — $2.7 million in 2022 alone — Riverhead school district officials say 'enough is enough.'
Government
New objections, questions from town supervisor and community raised about town’s chosen ‘path forward’ on $40 million Calverton land deal
Supervisor Yvette Aguiar raised concerns last week about when the town would receive the balance of its $40 million for land at the Calverton Enterprise Park, if the Riverhead Industrial Development Agency moves the town's deal with Calverton Aviation and Technology forward.
Government
Teachers, school district officials and state lawmakers take a stand against IDA school tax exemptions
According to data reported by the Riverhead IDA to the state comptroller, net school property tax exemptions granted by the IDA in the decade from 2013 to 2022 totaled more than $15 million.
Business
Riverhead IDA announces Aug. 23 public information session to discuss finances with EPCAL buyer
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.
Business
EPCAL buyers work to distance themselves from air cargo hub plan, but residents remain skeptical
“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.
