Rochester Chamber Backs Planned Pine Island Data Center

The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Project Skyway, a proposed 482-acre Pine Island development led by Ryan Companies with Google as its anchor tenant, saying its benefits could extend across the Rochester region. The project is projected to create more than 700 skilled-trades jobs during construction and about 100 permanent jobs, while bringing more than $130 million in city property-tax revenue over 28 years, over $100 million for roads and utilities, and more than $24 million for local schools. Google also has an agreement with Xcel Energy tied to adding 1,900 megawatts of new energy resources, including clean-energy generation and storage. The proposal faces opposition from some residents concerned about environmental effects and utility costs, and it is on hold amid legal challenges after a judge granted a temporary restraining order.