COLUMBUS – A public hearing was held in the Town of Columbus Thursday in regards to a proposed electric transmission line in Sherburne and Columbus.

Members of the Chenango County Industrial Development Agency and NYSEG fielded questions about the new 10.7-mile line, which is needed, according to NYSEG, “to enhance regional reliability and meet the increasing demand for electricity in the Chenango County service area,” particularly by Chobani yogurt maker Agro Farma Inc. in connection with its expansion activities.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a one-time sales and use tax exemption which would amount to approximately $650,000.

Columbus residents voiced concern last night that the tax exemption would not benefit their town and insisted this was one in a long line of tax breaks for the international company which has been based in the community for four years.

“There will be virtually no benefit to Columbus from this agreement,” said Wells Horton, chairman for the town planning board. Horton added his appreciation to the IDA and NYSEG for speaking with the community and answering questions. “You have to take into account that this is benefiting Agro Farma ... the projects they do around the county only come close to the amount of the tax breaks.”

NYSEG filed an application with the IDA in January for sales and use tax benefits of approximately $650,000 on materials purchases of $3.9 million, and taxable contract purchases of $4.2 million. According to a hand-out to be distributed at the public hearings, the utility’s total investment is $13.8 million, including new construction, renovation, equipment, installation, engineering fees and overhead. The project will create 50 temporary construction jobs, with wages of approximately $1.1 million.

According to assessment provided by NYSEG at the meeting, the project would generate approximately $345,000 in new property tax revenue for the county, with approximately $41,000 being returned to the Town of Columbus.