You’ve seen the signs. "City of the Hills." It sounds like a sleepy postcard, something you’d see on a vintage coaster in a Main Street antique shop. But if you’ve spent any time actually walking down Chestnut Street or sitting through a town board meeting lately, you know the vibe is shifting. Oneonta isn't just a college town anymore; it's becoming a bit of a localized battleground for what "progress" actually looks like in upstate New York.
Honestly, it’s a weird time. On one hand, you have the nostalgic, "keep it local" energy of the Greater Oneonta Historical Society (GOHS), which is currently deep into its 2026 Hometown Heroes banner cycle. They’re getting ready to hang those banners on light poles across the city and town to honor veterans, and there’s something genuinely grounding about that. On the other hand, there’s a high-stakes tug-of-war over artificial intelligence and data centers that has turned neighbor against neighbor.
The news in Oneonta NY right now is a cocktail of small-town tradition and "big world" problems.
The Data Center Drama: Eco-Yotta and the AI Fight
If you haven't been following the Eco-Yotta saga, you're missing the most intense local drama in years. It’s basically a movie plot: a married couple, Prashanth Gorantala and Tirusha Dave, wants to turn an old barn at 357 County Highway 9 into an AI research center. Their big pitch? They’ll use the heat generated by the massive computer servers to grow hydroponic crops.
Sounds cool on paper. But the community is, well, skeptical.
📖 Related: Trump New Gun Laws: What Most People Get Wrong
Over 570 people signed a petition against it. People are worried about the noise, the electricity usage (estimated at roughly 584,000 kWh per year), and the potential for "spot zoning." The town board meetings have been—to put it lightly—testy. In December 2025, the developers expressed "serious concern" about bias from the incoming Town Supervisor, Will Rivera. Rivera took office on January 1, 2026, and he’s been pretty vocal about putting neighbors over developers.
It’s a classic Oneonta standoff. You have the promise of 22 to 28 full-time jobs and student internships versus the fear of a massive industrial project creeping into a residential area. Hartwick College even distanced itself from the project recently, saying it wouldn't "meaningfully advance" opportunities for students.
Politics: The Buttermann Era and New Committees
While the town is fighting over AI, the city is reorganizing. Mayor Dan Buttermann, who took over the reigns after a closely watched election, is already shaking things up.
He recently introduced two new Common Council committees:
👉 See also: Why Every Tornado Warning MN Now Live Alert Demands Your Immediate Attention
- The Negotiations Committee: Led by Scott Harrington, this one is meant to stop the "us versus them" feeling between city staff and the council. They’ll be reviewing big contracts and property sales before they ever hit the full floor.
- The Communications Committee: This is long overdue. Their goal is to fix the city’s digital presence and social media. If you've ever tried to find a specific document on the city website, you know why this matters.
They actually got rid of the Community Wellness Committee to make room for these. Some folks aren't happy about that, but the Mayor’s logic is that "wellness" issues already fall under the Quality of Life and Infrastructure Committee. It’s all about efficiency. Or at least, that’s the plan.
The "Battle of the Hills" and Campus Life
You can't talk about Oneonta without the students. The rivalry between SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College is officially "formalized" now. They’re calling it the Battle of the Hills, and they even have a new trophy.
It’s not just about soccer anymore (though let’s be real, Oneonta will always be "Soccertown USA"). They’re competing in everything from tennis at Wilber Park to swimming and basketball. For a city that can feel a bit quiet in the winter, the energy these games bring is essential.
But it’s not all sports. SUNY Oneonta just snagged a $50,000 grant to digitize some incredible history. We're talking over 1,000 audiocassettes of New York state folklife from the 60s and 70s—interviews with hop pickers, farmers, and blacksmiths. It’s a reminder that beneath the modern debates about AI, this place has deep, rural roots.
✨ Don't miss: Brian Walshe Trial Date: What Really Happened with the Verdict
DMV Wins and Real-World Hassles
On a more practical note, if you’ve been dreading the drive to Cooperstown for a "REAL ID," there’s a bit of a win. The Oneonta Satellite DMV expanded its services on January 13, 2026. You can now get your Enhanced Driver’s License or REAL ID right here in town, though you still need an appointment. It’s a small thing, but for anyone who lives here, it’s a massive time-saver.
Why This Matters
Oneonta is at a crossroads. We are trying to figure out how to be a "modern" city without losing the "hometown" feel. Whether it’s the expansion of the Micron semiconductor impact from Syracuse trickling down to our workforce, or the fight over a barn-based data center, the decisions made this month will stick around for decades.
Actionable Next Steps for Oneonta Residents:
- Check the Ward Map: With the new ward boundaries approved, your representative might have changed. Visit the City Clerk's office or the updated city website to see who you should be calling with your gripes.
- Support the GOHS: If you want to honor a veteran, the 2026 Hometown Heroes applications are open. The deadline for new banners is March 28, 2026.
- Attend the "Laramie Project": Foothills Performing Arts Center is running this from February 6–8. It’s powerful stuff and a good way to support the local arts scene.
- Voice Your Opinion on Eco-Yotta: The Town Board is still weighing the AI research center. If you have thoughts, now is the time to email Supervisor Will Rivera or attend the next meeting.