In a significant development for Rochester's advanced manufacturing sector, more than $44 million in past-due construction bills have been paid on the former Li-Cycle Rochester Hub, marking potential progress on one of the region's most ambitious industrial projects. According to filings with the Monroe County Clerk's Office on November 18, 2025, nine creditors have released construction liens that were enforced since late 2023.
The settlement involves major contractors including LeChase Construction Services of Greece and Frank Lill & Son of Victor, which had previously placed liens on the lithium-ion battery recycling facility located at 205 McLaughlin Road in Greece, New York. The payment breakdown reveals the scale of investment: Hatch Associates Consultants received $8.22 million, Andronaco Industries received $7.42 million, and LeChase Construction and Frank Lill & Son split a combined $20.45 million.
The Li-Cycle Rochester Hub represents an ambitious vision for the regional economy. When Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. of Toronto originally announced plans in November 2022, the company expected to hire approximately 250 workers at the facility. However, the project faced unprecedented challenges. Construction halted in October 2023 as escalating building costs and overwhelming financial constraints became unsustainable.
Cost estimates became the primary obstacle. While the original budget projected reasonable completion timelines, construction expenses ballooned to nearly $1 billion—more than double the original projection. The situation deteriorated when the U.S. Department of Energy withheld issuance of a crucial $375 million loan, leaving Li-Cycle without working capital to continue. The company filed for bankruptcy in May 2025.
Swiss-based mining and commodities giant Glencore, which had already invested heavily in Li-Cycle, acquired the company's assets out of bankruptcy in August 2025 through its subsidiary GBR HubCo LLC. This acquisition signals serious commitment from an established global player with the financial resources to revive the project.
In August 2025, GRC HubCo officials assured the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) that the company intended to resume construction and bring recycling activities online. This commitment led to COMIDA's unanimous approval of Glencore's assumption of the lease agreement and tax abatements through a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) arrangement in the fall of 2025.
The resolution of these construction liens removes a major legal and financial barrier to project advancement. For Rochester's manufacturing base, the potential revival of this facility represents significant economic opportunity. Advanced recycling operations create skilled, well-paying jobs while supporting the clean energy transition—critical for regional competitiveness.
The lithium-ion recycling sector is increasingly vital as electric vehicle adoption accelerates globally. Rochester's facility would position the region at the forefront of battery material recovery, a high-value industrial niche.
While the lien settlements are positive, important questions remain unanswered. A Glencore spokesperson stated "we are not commenting" when asked about specific revival plans. COMIDA Executive Director Ana Liss noted that the agency "remains in contact with Glencore officials" but is "still awaiting updates from them about the specificity and scope of their plans for the Greece site."
The path forward will depend on Glencore's ability to optimize design for cost efficiency, secure necessary financing, navigate permitting processes, and recruit and retain skilled workers in a competitive labor market.
The Li-Cycle hub represents more than one project—it symbolizes Rochester's potential in advanced manufacturing and clean technology. The region has long experience in precision manufacturing and engineering excellence. A successful battery recycling facility would reinforce that legacy while creating a new anchor for the regional economy.
For contractors, suppliers, and workers in the Rochester area, the settlement of construction liens and Glencore's commitment warrant optimism, though careful monitoring of next steps remains prudent.
Sources: Rochester Business Journal (November 18, 2025), Monroe County Clerk's Office filings, COMIDA statements
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