Community Benefits Agreements Database
Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) are legally binding contracts between developers and host municipalities and/or local community groups that can serve to mitigate local impacts of large infrastructure projects and other types of development. These agreements can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the host community and to address the specific impacts of a project. The host community will typically receive a combination of monetary benefits and non-monetary benefits, while the developer will typically receive increased community support and increased certainty in the approval process.
The Sabin Center has compiled this database of publicly available CBAs in conjunction with the publication of a guide on Expert Insights on Best Practices for Community Benefits Agreements. More information about several of the CBAs listed below can be found here. If you have access to additional CBAs that can be added to this database, including Host Community Agreements and Good Neighbor Agreements, please contact Matthew Eisenson at matthew.eisenson@law.columbia.edu.
Projects
- Title
- Town of Ripley and Connectgen Chautauqua County LLC Host Community Agreement (see also town resolution here)
- Date
- December 30, 2021
- State
- New York
- Project Description
- 270-MW solar energy facility
- Benefits
- From year 1 through year 11, annual payments start at $1,750 per MW of nameplate capacity (i.e. $472,500), and increase by 2% per year. From year 12 through year 30, annual payments start at $1,030,000 and increase by 3% per year.
- Title
- Maui County and Kahana Solar LLC Settlement Agreement (with community benefits)
- Date
- October 15, 2021
- State
- Hawaii
- Project Description
- 20-MW solar energy facility
- Benefits
- Annual payments equal $55,000 for a duration of 25 years totaling $1,374,000. Targeted benefits include giving preference to West Maui laborers when hiring for the project’s construction, operation, and maintenance.
- Title
- Town of Byron and Excelsior Energy Center LLC Host Community Benefit Agreement
- Date
- April 28, 2021
- State
- New York
- Project Description
- 280-MW solar energy facility
- Benefits
- Annual payments begin at $1,006,522 and increase by 2% each year for 20 years for an expected total of $24,455,837.
- Title
- County of Merced and Wright Solar Park LLC Community Benefits Agreement (see also first amendment here)
- Date
- February 26, 2015 (amended October 2, 2018)
- State
- California
- Project Description
- 200-MW solar energy facility
- Benefits
- All sales taxes associated with the construction project will flow into the County in addition to annual payments of $25,000 for 20 years. Additionally, all contracts for construction and operation will be advertised within the county.
- Title
- Town of Barre and Apex Clean Energy Host Community Agreement (see summary here)
- Date
- October 13, 2021
- State
- New York
- Project Description
- 184.8-MW on-shore wind energy facility
- Benefits
- Payments will increase annually from $1.2 million in the first year of operation to $2.1 million by year 25, for a total amount in excess of $40 million.
- Title
- Town of West Union and Eight Point Wind LLC Host Community Agreement
- Date
- January 17, 2019
- State
- New York
- Project Description
- 102-MW on-shore wind energy facility
- Benefits
- Annual payments of $3,000 per nameplate capacity. The developer also agrees to pay for professional services (e.g. legal or engineering fees) incurred by the town as a direct result of the wind project.
- Title
- McLean County and Lexington Chenoa Wind Farm LLC Wind Project Neighbor Agreement
- Date
- c. 2018
- State
- Illinois
- Project Description
- 205-MW on-shore wind energy facility
- Benefits
- Upfront payments include a $6,000 signing bonus and a one-time payment of $2,000. Annual payments equal $2,000 for 30 years plus two additional periods of 10 years that may be extended by the developer.
- Title
- Town of Arkwright and Cassadaga Wind Host Community Agreement
- Date
- October 31, 2016
- State
- New York
- Project Description
- 126-MW on-shore wind energy facility
- Benefits
- Upfront payment of about $58,000 ($1,000 per turbine constructed). Annual payments equal $3,800 per MW of nameplate capacity, escalating annually after the 6th year by the lesser of a) 2%, or b) the CPI of the previous year. The agreement expires when the turbines are decommissioned.
- Title
- Town of Charlotte and Cassadaga Wind Host Community Agreement
- Date
- October 6, 2016
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Project Description
- 126-MW on-shore wind energy facility
- Benefits
- Upfront payment of about $58,000 ($1,000 per turbine constructed). Annual payments equal $3,800 per MW of nameplate capacity, escalating annually after the 6th year by the lesser of a) 2%, or b) the CPI of the previous year. The agreement expires when the turbines are decommissioned.
- Title
- Town of Osborne and Weaver Wind Community Benefits Agreement
- Date
- May 2, 2015
- State
- Maine
- Project Description
- 72.6-MW on-shore wind energy facility
- Benefits
- Upfront payment of $950,000. Annual payments equal $2,000 per MW of nameplate capacity escalated by 2% annually for 20 years. The expected total payment is $3,527,978
- Title
- Town of East Hampton and South Fork Wind LLC Host Community Agreement
- Date
- March 9, 2021
- State
- New York
- Project Description
- 132-MW off-shore wind energy facility
- Benefits
- Annual payments equal $700,000 for the first 25 years. After 25 years, annual payments shall be the installment amount plus a 2% escalation factor each year. The developer also agrees to fund a fisheries liaison; local job opportunities; and a community trust fund of $5,550,000.
- Title
- City of New London and North East Offshore LLC Host Community Agreement
- Date
- February 25, 2021
- State
- Connecticut
- Project Description
- Facility nameplate capacity and acreage unspecified
- Benefits
- Upfront payment of $750,000. From years two through seven, annual payments will be $750,000. If North East Offshore continues its use of the pier, from years 8 through 10, annual payments will be $750,000 plus payments ranging from $250,000 - $1,000,000. If North East Offshore subleases the pier, annual payments will be $250,000.
- Title
- City of Morro Bay and Castle Wind Community Benefits Agreement
- Date
- November 1, 2018
- State
- California
- Project Description
- 1000-MW off-shore wind energy facility
- Benefits
- Payment of $250,000 and local economic development activities, such as local hiring and providing training opportunities.
- Title
- Monhegan Plantation et al. and Maine Aqua Ventis Community Benefits Agreement
- Date
- c. 2017
- State
- Maine
- Project Description
- 12-MW off-shore wind energy facility
- Benefits
- Upfront payments include $100,000 for an energy/broadband infrastructure fund to implement grant work; $100,000 for a technical support fund; and $2,330,000 for an energy/broadband infrastructure capital fund. Annual payments begin at $40,000 and escalate by 2.5% each year. Targeted benefits include local hiring opportunities and University of Maine scholarships for Monhegan residents.
- Title
- Town and County of Nantucket and Vineyard Wind Good Neighbor Agreement
- Date
- August 27, 2002
- State
- Massachusetts
- Project Description
- One existing 800-MW off-shore wind energy facility and four future projects of unspecified scale
- Benefits
- Upfront payments include $4 million at the financial close of the first project and $3 million at the financial close of each subsequent project. Targeted benefits include the establishment of an Offshore Wind Community Fund
- Title
- City of Salem and Footprint Power Salem Harbor Development Community Benefits Agreement
- Date
- December 16, 2014
- State
- Massachusetts
- Project Description
- 674-MW combined cycle gas-fired electric generation facility
- Benefits
- Annual payments for 3 to 10 years will be used to fund benefits including but not limited to public harbor access, an off-site emission reduction program, public safety training, funding school districts, and supporting public art initiatives. The total payments are expected to equal $4,320,000.
- Title
- City of Richmond and Chevron Products Company Environmental and Community Investment Agreement
- Date
- August 4, 2014
- State
- California
- Project Description
- Oil refinery
- Benefits
- Annual payments will be awarded as follows: $11 million for year 1; $8 million for years 2 through 6; $7 million for years 7 and 8; $6 million for year 9; and $4 million for year 10. Payments are allocated for programs including greenhouse gas reduction programs, scholarships, and public safety programs.
- Title
- City of Moline and Lakeshore Recycling Systems LLC Community Host Agreement
- Date
- February 13, 2023
- State
- Illinois
- Project Description
- Waste transfer facility
- Benefits
- For a minimum of 40 years, the developer will pay a host benefit fee of $2.54 per ton of waste transported into the facility.
- Title
- Town of Perinton and Waste Management of New York LLC Host Community Agreement
- Date
- December 28, 2021
- State
- New York
- Project Description
- Solid waste landfill and composting facility
- Benefits
- Upfront payment of $300,000. Annual payments shall range from $83,000 to $1 million. For at least five-years, the developer will perform enhanced environmental monitoring activities, fund a local notification hot-line number, and fund a property value protection program to compensate qualifying homeowners.
- Title
- Town of Norridgewock and Waste Management Disposal Services of Maine Inc. Host Community Agreement
- Date
- October 16, 2019
- State
- Maine
- Project Description
- Solid waste disposal facility
- Benefits
- Annual host fee of $1.70 - $3.80 per ton of waste transported into the facility. Targeted benefits include but are not limited to the establishment of an environmental monitoring program; a contribution of $100,000 to the Town Technical Assistance Fund; and property value guarantees.
- Title
- County of DeKalb and Waste Management of Illinois Inc. Host Community Agreement (see also first amendment here and second amendment here)
- Date
- February 26, 2009 (amended June 1, 2014 and May 17, 2017)
- State
- Illinois
- Project Description
- Expansion of an existing landfill
- Benefits
- The developer agrees to only accept non-hazardous solid waste as well as free disposal for certain county agencies. The developer also agrees to well monitoring, a property value guarantee plan, and measures to provide alternatives in the event of groundwater contamination. Annual fees include a $4.60 per ton of waste Host Benefit Fee.
- Title
- Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Community Benefits Agreement
- Date
- December 4, 2013
- State
- Missouri
- Project Description
- Sewer system improvement and replacement program
- Benefits
- Payments include a maximum annual amount of $150,000 towards a job training program in sewer-related occupations. Target benefits include the creation of a first-source hiring program; a commitment to utilizing the services of minority and women-owned businesses; and the development of an environmental monitoring plan.
- Title
- Town of Riga and Monroe County Host Community Agreement (2011 amendment)
- Date
- July 12, 1989 (amended April 22, 1993; February 9, 2000; January 5, 2005; and January 4, 2011)
- State
- New York
- Project Description
- Solid waste landfill
- Benefits
- Annual waste volume payment that shall be the greater of a) payment of $3.65 per ton of waste or b) $450,000. Targeted benefits include funding a water supply protection program and a property value protection program.
- Title
- Lake County et al. and Veolia ES Zion Landfill Inc. Host Community Agreement
- Date
- January 28, 2010
- State
- Illinois
- Project Description
- Solid waste landfill
- Benefits
- Host Benefit Fee of $1.41 per ton of solid waste permanently disposed of in the landfill. The developer also agrees to create a Property Value Protection Plan and an Environmental Monitoring Plan.
- Title
- Town of Waterloo and Seneca Meadows Inc Community Benefits Agreement
- Date
- August 16, 2005
- State
- New York
- Project Description
- Solid waste landfill
- Benefits
- Upfront payment of $500,000 and an annual payment of $150,000 increasing each year by $50,000 up to a maximum of $250,000. Targeted benefits include the creation of a Groundwater Monitoring and Protection Program, a Property Value Protection Program, and an environmental reporting system.
- Title
- State Building and Construction Trades Council of California California High-Speed Rail Authority Community Benefits Agreement
- Date
- August 13, 2013
- State
- California
- Project Description
- High-speed rail system construction
- Benefits
- The developer also agrees to recruit 30% of project labor from National Targeted Workers as well as develop a program to hire apprentices and disadvantaged workers. The parties also agree to form a Joint Administrative Committee to monitor and mitigate community impacts.
- Title
- LAX Coalition for Economic, Environmental, and Educational Justice and Los Angeles World Airports Community Benefits Agreement
- Date
- December 6, 2004
- State
- California
- Project Description
- International airport modernization project
- Benefits
- Targeted benefits include developing Residential Noise Mitigation Programs, Job Training Programs, and a First Source Hiring Program. The developer also agrees to fund environmental, health, air quality, and community impact studies.
- Title
- Central Maine Power Company et al. Stipulation for Approval of New England Clean Energy Connect
- Date
- February 21, 2019
- State
- Maine
- Project Description
- 1,200-MW HVDC Transmission Line
- Benefits
- While not technically a CBA, Section V.B of the stipulation (starting at p. 15) has analogous provisions, including: (a) $50 million for a low-income customer benefits fund; (b) $140 million for a rate relief fund; (c) $5 million of broadband upgrades and $10 million for a broadband fund; (d) $15 million for a heat pump fund; (e) $15 million for an electric vehicle fund; (f) $5 million for Franklin County; (g) $6 million for education; and (h) preference for hiring Maine workers.
- Title
- San Luis Obispo County Commercial Fishermen and MFS Globenet, AT&T, and Global West, Agreement Between Cable Companies and Fishermen
- Date
- January 30, 2002
- State
- California
- Project Description
- Cable network
- Benefits
- Upfront payment of $150,000 as well as annual payments of $150,000. Targeted benefits include establishing and funding a committee to implement the agreement; provisions for safe cable installation and environmental monitoring; and grants for mitigation programs and damages.
- Title
- Erie County et al. and Buffalo Bills et al. Community Benefits Agreement
- Date
- March 29, 2023
- State
- New York
- Project Description
- Football stadium
- Benefits
- Annual community investment payments of at least $3 million and other provisions requiring workforce inclusion and diversity; addressing prevailing and living wage requirements; supporting youth and community programs.
- Title
- City of Chicago and Bally’s Chicago Operating Company LLC Host Community Agreement
- Date
- June 9, 2022
- State
- Illinois
- Project Description
- Casino expansion project
- Benefits
- One-time host community impact fee of $40 million within 5 days of execution, as well as annual direct impact fee of $2 million and indirect impact fee of $2 million (see page A-1-1).
- Title
- City of Richmond and Resort Casino Host Community Agreement
- Date
- c. 2021
- State
- Virginia
- Project Description
- Resort casino
- Benefits
- Upfront payment of $25 million and a minimum annual payment of $5 million.
- Title
- Stand Up Nashville Inc and Nashville Soccer Holdings Inc Community Benefits Agreement
- Date
- September 3, 2018
- State
- Tennessee
- Project Description
- Major League Soccer stadium
- Benefits
- The ownership team agrees to pay the city $25 million in addition to $9 million annually for the next 30 years. Targeted benefits include the development of affordable housing units, local hiring opportunities, and the establishment of a childcare facility.
- Title
- Alliance for Good Jobs and Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Bucks Arena Agreement
- Date
- May 12, 2016
- State
- Wisconsin
- Project Description
- Sports complex
- Benefits
- Targeted benefits include living wage provisions; hiring at least 50% of employees from neighborhoods with high unemployment; affirming workers' right to unionize; establishing a job training program.
- Title
- City of New Bedford and KG New Bedford Host Community Agreement
- Date
- March 19, 2015
- State
- Massachusetts
- Project Description
- Resort casino
- Benefits
- Targeted benefits include commissioning studies to measure the project’s impact on the city. Payments include funding the mitigation of impacts identified in the Impact Studies; a preliminary economic regeneration payment of $4.5 million; PILOT payments; and annual payments of $12.5 million Note: The project was never granted final approval.
- Title
- Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance Community Benefits Program
- Date
- April 2013
- State
- New York
- Project Description
- Ice sports center and community space
- Benefits
- Upfront payment of $8 million to be used for developing the community space, creating a renewable energy scholarship fund, and a grant program for local businesses. Annual payments include a baseline of $1 million plus an additional 1-2% of the facility’s revenue.
- Title
- Hill District Community Benefits Agreement
- Date
- August 19, 2008
- State
- Pennsylvania
- Project Description
- Ice sports arena
- Benefits
- Targeted benefits include committing up to $1 million in financial assistance for the development of a neighborhood grocery store; local employment and contracting provisions; and the creation of a youth community center.
- Title
- Ballpark Village Community Benefits Agreement
- Date
- September 20, 2005
- State
- California
- Project Description
- Multi-use development adjacent to a new baseball stadium
- Benefits
- Payments include $1.5 million for job training of local residents; $100,000 in funding for a gentrification study of the development’s impacts on surrounding communities; and $50,000 in funding for arts, youth, and culture services. Targeted benefits include requirements for LEED building standards and local hiring and living wage provisions.
- Title
- Town of West Amwell and Green Medicine NJ Host Community Agreement
- Date
- April 29, 2022
- State
- New Jersey
- Project Description
- Marijuana retail establishment
- Benefits
- Annual payments to the township including 2% of the company’s annual gross sales, as well as a Community Fee of $100,000 in year 1 and $50,000 per year in years 2-5. Other benefits include participation in/funding of educational programs on health and drug abuse prevention.
- Title
- Town of Halifax and Green Earth Cannabis Host Community Agreement
- Date
- April 2021
- State
- Massachusetts
- Project Description
- Marijuana retail establishment
- Benefits
- Annual Community Impact Fee of 3% of gross sales for 5 years. The developer also agrees to observe high-security practices and implement a local hiring program.
- Title
- City of Boston and MedMen Boston Host Community Agreement
- Date
- February 7, 2019
- State
- Massachusetts
- Project Description
- Marijuana retail establishment
- Benefits
- Quarterly host community payments of 3% of gross sales revenue for 5 years; limitations on signage that is inconsistent with the “look and character” of the neighborhood; establishment of a diversity and inclusion plan.
- Title
- UNIDAD Coalition and Palmer/Flower Street Properties LLC Lorenzo Project Community Benefits Program
- Date
- February 2011
- State
- California
- Project Description
- Mixed-use development project including the creation of residential units and retail space
- Benefits
- Targeted benefits include dedicated community-based health care services and funding for health care services; affordable housing; and targeted hiring and living wages.
- Title
- Hunters Point Shipyard / Candlestick Point Integrated Development Project Community Benefits Agreement
- Date
- May 30, 2008
- State
- California
- Project Description
- Residential development project
- Benefits
- Targeted benefits include the creation of affordable housing units and payments of between $27.3 million to $32.8 million to a housing fund and $8.5 million to a workforce development fund.
- Title
- Cherokee-Gates Project Community Benefits Agreement (see summary here)
- Date
- February 2006
- State
- Colorado
- Project Description
- Redevelopment of the former Gates Rubber Factory into a mixed-use, transit-oriented development
- Benefits
- Targeted benefits include the construction of affordable and low-income housing; community involvement in environmental cleanup; local hiring and living wage provisions.
- Title
- Hollywood and Vine Mixed-Use Development Project Community Benefits Agreement
- Date
- April 2004
- State
- California
- Project Description
- Multi-use development project, consisting mostly of luxury housing and retail development
- Benefits
- Targeted benefits include the creation of a living wage and local hiring program. Payments include $75,000 in job training and $15,000 to fund a health care access outreach program.
- Title
- Marlton Square Redevelopment Project Community Benefits Program
- Date
- c. 2002
- State
- California
- Project Description
- Retail and housing redevelopment project
- Benefits
- Targeted benefits include the creation of dedicated community services such as a community center, youth center, and job training center as well as a local hiring program with the aim of achieving a 70% living wage goal.
- Title
- North Hollywood Mixed-Use Redevelopment Project Community Benefits Program
- Date
- November 2001
- State
- California
- Project Description
- Mixed-use redevelopment project
- Benefits
- Targeted benefits include a 75% living wage commitment and monetary penalties if the commitment is not met; on-site space for a child care center with dedicated parking spaces for low- and moderate-income families; establishment of a first source hiring system; and the creation of a job training program.
- Title
- West Harlem Local Development Corporation and the Trustees of Columbia University Community Benefits Agreement
- Date
- May 18, 2009
- State
- New York
- Project Description
- University campus expansion project
- Benefits
- Benefits Fund of $76 million and an Affordable Housing Fund of $20 million. In-kind benefits include up to $4 million in related legal assistance benefits and $20 million in access to Columbia University facilities, services, and amenities.
- Title
- City of New Haven and Yale-New Haven Hospital Development Agreement
- Date
- June 6, 2006
- State
- Connecticut
- Project Description
- Hospital
- Benefits
- Annual payments outlined in this agreement include $300,000 for the first four years for housing and economic development in the adjacent neighborhoods; $100,000 for at least five years for career ladder programs for hospital employees and residents; funding the creation of two new City positions for asthma and uninsured children’s outreach.
- Title
- SunQuest Industrial Park Community Benefits Plan
- Date
- October 25, 2001
- State
- California
- Project Description
- Redevelopment of an environmentally contaminated industrial site
- Benefits
- Upfront payment of $150,000 from the developer toward a neighborhood improvement fund and school art programs. Targeted benefits include limitations on truck traffic and idling, the construction of a youth center; a goal of 70% living wage jobs; and a first-source hiring policy.