We are writing to update you on a troubling new development that occurred just before the holidays last month in which the Town of Maine took legal action in an effort to block the comprehensive and ongoing planning for potential development of the tech park.

Just before Christmas 2025, the town quietly filed an Article 78 proceeding challenging the Broome County IDA’s authority to purchase property. The town sought a restraining order to prevent the IDA from having any meaningful conversations with property owners about potentially buying their land.

The court initially granted the town’s request, and the IDA was temporarily no longer able to communicate with private landowners who might be interested in selling their property – a move that undermined both the rights of property owners and freedom of speech.

While the court has since lifted the temporary restraining order to allow the IDA a chance to defend itself, the town’s actions set a very concerning precedent.

The IDA will continue moving forward deliberately and intentionally, as it has always done. We are working through the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) process, including preparation of a draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS), so ALL residents have clear, fact-based information about how a project of this scale could provide new tax revenue, private investment, and job creation.

As IDA Executive Director Stacey Duncan has stated repeatedly, the agency remains focused on working with — not around — local governments.

It is disappointing that the Town of Maine has decided to go this route when the IDA has been negotiating in good faith with property owners and keeping elected officials, key stakeholders, and decision-makers updated on its work.

The IDA believes strongly in transparency, collaboration, and allowing the environmental review process to run its course so decisions are grounded in facts – not subterfuge and misinformation.

The court has scheduled an initial hearing for later this month. Regardless of the outcome, the IDA’s top priority remains the same: completing a thorough SEQR review so residents across Broome County have accurate information about the potential benefits, impacts, and tradeoffs associated with the tech park project.

We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. To read the full statement that we posted in response to the town’s legal action, please click here.

If you have questions, you can reach us at [email protected].