Politics & Government

County News: Suffolk Buys Rail Yard Land, Sod Farm

Also, Industrial Development Agency benefits handed out to local vitamin firm.

Written by Henry Powderly.

Suffolk County this week closed on a deal to buy 230 acres in Yaphank to support its long-envisioned rail yard, though opponents of the deal are pushing to block the move in New York State Supreme Court.

According to Newsday, the $19.4 million purchase had already been delayed, costing the county tax revenue that could have helped offset its deficit.

A group of Yaphank residents are suing the county, alleging officials did not hold any public bidding, which could have led to a higher sale price. At the same time, the also claim the rail yard will hurt the ecosystem and clog local roads. 

The rail hub has already seen 1,400 rail cars delivering supplies from building materials to biofuels, which has kept many trucks off the roads, the county said.

'Boost' for Vitamin Lab

The Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency this week said it has handed out an incentive packages to Farmingdale-based Vitamix Laboratories to keep the firm in place on Long Island and support its growth.

The vitamin company plans a $250,000 move to a new facility in Commack, and the IDA will support that with a $67,091 property tax cut and $7,892 sales tax abatement. 

The IDA arranged the incentives through its BOOST program, which works to keep smaller companies rooted on Long Island.

All of a Sodden

The county bought grass this week — a lot of it.

According to Newsday, the county paid $1.3 million to buy a sod farm at Tuthill Lane in Jamesport, adding to 600 acres of farmland purchased by Suffolk for preservation purposes.

The property was owned by the Riverhead School District, and the money is expected to pad the district's general fund.

Credit Rating Worsens

The county's credit rating took a hit this week when Moody's Investors Service downgraded Suffolk's credit rating on its $1.4 billion debt to A2, which is considered "negative." 

The bureau blamed the county's budget deficit and its failure to meet year-end estimates in 2012. Moody's warned that the county could be downgraded again if it does not balance its budget.

"While the county has made significant steps toward mitigating the deficit since identifying it in March, future rating reviews will consider the county's ability to make further headway in reducing the structural gap and achieve structurally balanced operations," the agency said.

Suffolk's deficit stands at $530 million.


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