EcoGen purchases 600 acres

ITALY (8/3/16)--A midwest wind and ethanol company has recently completed the repurchase of several of its parcels in the town of Italy for Yates County, amounting to just more than 600 acres. According to Yates County deed transfers, EcoGen Wind LLC purchased 17 parcels in the town of Italy for a total of $277,101.99 from the county's property tax auction. EcoGen is a development firm based out of Wichita, Kansas, who specializes in wind farm and ethanol plant development.
Despite the purchases, the town of Italy claims it has not heard from EcoGen regarding any progress on a proposed wind farm project. Italy Town Clerk Deborah Craig said EcoGen waited until the properties were seized by Yates County and put up for auction, then bought them back at auction at the last minute. She added she wonders why they bought the properties if they have not contacted the town about moving forward with the project.
Craig noted the town has not heard from EcoGen since the settlement of a lawsuit against the town by EcoGen in 2013. This lawsuit attempted to eliminate a memorandum on the issue by the town. At the time, EcoGen was planning a wind farm in Italy and the town of Prattsburgh, with Craig estimating some 15 wind turbines being proposed for the town of Italy.
EcoGen did not return a call for comment by press time.