November 18, 2025 — Westside Construction Group reports a major development for the Rochester construction industry: more than $44 million in past-due construction liens on the former Li-Cycle Rochester Hub have been paid, marking a critical turning point for the lithium-ion battery recycling facility.
According to filings with the Monroe County Clerk's Office released Thursday, nine creditors have released construction liens that were enforced late in 2023 or during 2024 on the facility at 205 McLaughlin Road in Greece, New York. This action signals that the project's new owner, Glencore, is positioning the site for resumed construction.
The Li-Cycle Rochester Hub project originated as an ambitious manufacturing venture. When Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. announced the facility in November 2022, the company expected to hire around 250 workers and establish a significant presence in the Rochester industrial sector.
However, construction halted abruptly in October 2023 when the company faced mounting financial pressures. Key factors included:
Rochester-area contractors bore the brunt of these delays, including LeChase Construction Services of Greece and Frank Lill & Son of Victor, both among the creditors awaiting payment resolution.
Swiss-based mining and commodities giant Glencore, which had already invested heavily in Li-Cycle, acquired the company's assets in August 2025 through its subsidiary GBR HubCo LLC. The recent $44 million in payments to resolve outstanding contractor liens represents the first concrete action from the new ownership.
The resolved liens included significant payments to major contractors and consultants (per Monroe County Clerk filings, November 18, 2025):
For the construction industry in Rochester, this development carries significant implications. The payment of substantial contractor liens removes a major obstacle to project resumption and demonstrates Glencore's financial commitment to the Greece facility. Contractors who faced cash flow challenges during the construction halt now have clarity on payment status.
The Rochester and surrounding region construction community includes many firms experienced in large-scale industrial projects. The Li-Cycle facility represented one of the region's most visible recent projects, and its restart would create substantial work for subcontractors, suppliers, and skilled tradespeople across multiple disciplines including structural steel, mechanical systems, electrical work, and process piping.
The County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) has been monitoring the project closely. In August 2025, the COMIDA board unanimously approved Glencore's assumption of the lease agreement and tax abatement agreements (known as PILOTs — Payments in Lieu of Taxes) based on Glencore's commitment to resume operations.
According to COMIDA Executive Director Ana Liss (Rochester Business Journal, November 18, 2025), the agency remains in contact with Glencore: "We are still awaiting updates from them about the specificity and scope of their plans for the Greece site."
When asked about the contractor payments and resumed construction, a Glencore spokesperson stated: "We are not commenting." This measured approach is typical for major projects still in planning stages, though the financial actions speak clearly about the company's intentions to move forward.
The Li-Cycle Rochester Hub, if completed, would position the region at the forefront of lithium-ion battery recycling — a critical infrastructure category as electric vehicle adoption accelerates nationally. The facility was designed to recover valuable materials from spent batteries, supporting both environmental objectives and manufacturing supply chains.
Glencore's global commodities expertise and experience in resource processing positions it well to operationalize such a facility. However, the company has not yet disclosed specific timelines for completing construction or commencing recycling operations at the Greece location.
For Rochester construction professionals tracking this project:
The payment of $44 million in construction liens on November 18, 2025 represents a significant turning point for the Rochester construction sector. Glencore's financial actions indicate serious intent to advance the facility, while COMIDA's continued support and tax incentive framework provide a stable foundation for project continuation. For Rochester contractors and suppliers, this development signals that one of the region's most challenging projects may finally be moving toward completion.
Source: Rochester Business Journal (November 18, 2025). "$44M in construction liens on Li-Cycle Rochester Hub paid off" by Kevin Oklobzija
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