WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Schuyler County IDA voted on Wednesday night to end the lease of Horseheads Brewing on Seneca Lake, and grant a new lease to Lucky Hare Brewing instead.  

Horseheads Brewing's lease with the IDA ended on October 31st.  In October, an IDA Committee reviewed five proposals for the Seneca Harbor Marina location and narrowed the plans down to Horseheads Brewing and Lucky Hare Brewing.  The two breweries were scored by that committee using rubrics in two rounds. Horseheads Brewing scored 46.5 in the first round, while Lucky Hare Brewing scored 45.75.  After follow up questions in the second round, Horseheads Brewing scored a 47, and Lucky Hare scored a 49. 

Wednesday night, the IDA made the decision to move forward with Lucky Hare Brewing.

"There's three different documents, the authorizing resolution which is resolution 2023-4, there's a sub lease agreement and then there's an equipment lease.  All three require action in order to move forward," said Schuyler County IDA CFO and CEO Judy McKinney Cherry at the meeting.

The vote passed in a 5-0 vote with two members abstaining.  John Christianson, a representative for Horseheads Brewing, says he is disappointed with the outcome of this situation.

"We were hopeful that they would change their minds or have a discussion about it.  Unfortunately, there was no discussion, so their minds were made up before we even came in here today," said Christianson.

At the IDA meeting, McKinney Cherry also mentioned to the board that Horseheads Brewing has not made its final lease payment to the IDA, which was due December 1st.  Christianson explained that Horseheads Brewing is waiting for clarification from the IDA about part of their leasing agreement and access to the property's kitchen.

"We have put those monies in an escrow account and an interest bearing account as well. We have every intention to pay, that's what we do to make sure we're making things right, but we're still waiting for some clarification from the board itself," said Christianson.

When asked for an interview, Judy McKinney Cherry declined to comment.

Horseheads Brewing and WENY-TVs parent companies are owned by the same people.