🌱 Could Niagara County lose millions from Lake Mariner’s AI expansion?

Hi there, Niagara! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Could Niagara County lose millions from Lake Mariner’s AI expansion?
• How big is Somerset’s AI data center boom—and at what cost?
• How local students got a behind-the-scenes look at 911 dispatch

Also on today's calendar: Classic Design Luncheon & Lecture: Beyond Blue and White with Genevieve Wheeler-Brown.

Today's riddle: What did the carpenter ant say when he walked into the bar? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 81 and low of 54 degrees.
• Thursday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 82, low: 60.
• Friday: Breezy with partial sunshine, with a high of 82 and low of 63 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• A NY law from the dial-up era lets today's AI data centers avoid millions in state and local taxes (Exclusive) (syracuse.com) — Niagara County officials are challenging whether the rapidly expanding Lake Mariner data center can legally avoid paying millions in sales tax on its multibillion-dollar AI and crypto buildout. The county has hired a major law firm and may sue, arguing an old state tax exemption for internet data centers shouldn’t automatically shield today’s huge AI facilities from contributing to local revenues.
   

• Where In New York AI Data Centers Are Being Discussed (hudsonvalleypost.com) — Somerset in Niagara County is spotlighted as a major AI data center hotspot, with the Lake Mariner site undergoing a multibillion-dollar expansion and its tax breaks under review. The piece also maps out similar high‑power projects and debates across New York, outlining both economic benefits and serious concerns about energy use, water, and long‑term jobs.
   

• EMS/Fire Science Class Visits Niagara Co. Emergency Services (niagara-gazette.com) — Local EMS and Fire Science students recently toured Niagara County Emergency Services, getting a close-up look at how 911 calls are handled for our community. They observed dispatchers in action, learned how police, fire, and EMS coordinate responses, and saw the communication technology that helps get help where it’s needed fast.
   

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📸 Around Niagara

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Niagara

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★ Featured events ★

Wednesday June 17

• Classic Design Luncheon & Lecture: Beyond Blue and White with Genevieve Wheeler-Brown →
  Jay Heritage Center, 210 Boston Post Rd, Rye
  11:30 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

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📣 Niagara Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday June 3

• Intramurals
  Charles a. Upson Elementary School Lockport, NY 14094
  8:00 am
• Grade 2 to the Buffalo Museum of Science
  Lockport City SD Lockport, NY 14094
  9:45 am
• Kindness Club
  Lockport City SD Lockport, NY 14094
  3:30 pm
• Discover Japan through Language, Food & Song →
  North Tonawanda Public Library, 505 Meadow Dr, North Tonawanda
  5:00 pm
• Boys 7/8th Baseball vs North Tonawanda High School
  Lockport City SD 5641 Beattie Avnue, Lockport New York 14094
  5:00 pm
• Girls 7/8th Softball @ North Tonawanda High School
  Lockport City SD 175 Humphrey St., North Tonawanda New York 14120
  5:00 pm
• Anticipated Executive Board of Education Meeting at the SHS/ALC
  Niagara-Wheatfield Csd Sanborn, NY 14132
  6:00 pm
• Jazz on the Green
  Wilson Csd Wilson, NY 14172
  6:00 pm
• IEC-Spring Concert (4th Grade ensembles) 6pm, HS Auditorium
  Lewiston-Porter Csd Youngstown, NY 14174
  6:00 pm
• IEC- Spring Concert (5th Grade Ensembles) 6:45pm, HS Auditorium
  Lewiston-Porter Csd Youngstown, NY 14174
  6:45 pm
• Anticipated Regular Board of Ed Meeting at the SHS/ALC
  Niagara-Wheatfield Csd Sanborn, NY 14132
  7:00 pm
• 6/7/8 Chorus Concert
  Starpoint Csd MS Auditorium
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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🗞 Nearby News

Niagara Falls

• Everest Microbrewery Now Open In Niagara Falls, New York (wyrk.com)
• Niagara Falls Convention Center welcomes Sarah Bubar as sales manager (wnypapers.com)
• MEDWAY: Raymond Anthony Molinaro (town.news)

Lewiston

• PHOTOS: Lewiston Artisan Farmers Market starts summer run (wnypapers.com)

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Ok Niagara! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Is the bar tender here? (Thank you W. M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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