Owego Tractor Supply Company Store Will Finally Get Some Water

There is an end in sight for the long, complicated saga of a long-awaited Tioga County store that has been unable to open because it lacked a water supply.

Tractor Supply Company of Tennessee has been working for several years to set up a new location in the town of Owego.

The firm received the necessary local approvals to start construction on a 22,000-square-foot store two years ago.

Work on the site on Route 434 began last spring and the building appeared to go up with no serious problems. But when construction was completed a few months ago, the future store site still had no water hookup.

Tractor Supply Company representatives had wanted to connect to a water system operated by a firm called Veolia.

That turned out to be a big problem. Veolia representatives had concerns that adding the store to its nearby community water system could cause pressure problems for existing customers.

For weeks, the company considered its options as its unfinished store sat empty with nonfunctioning fire hydrants covered with black plastic.

Owego town supervisor Gary Hellmers said Tractor Supply officials were advised they could consider installing a line under the Susquehanna River to tie into a water line on 5th Avenue. They also had the option of drilling their own well at the store site.

Hellmers told WNBF News that the company has chosen to drill a well and install two water storage tanks on its property. He said they are waiting for pumps that are needed for the project.

Tractor Supply Company had expected the Owego store to open last January but the water dilemma has caused a significant delay.

A company spokesperson on Friday afternoon said the location's soft opening now is scheduled for early February 2027. The grand opening is planned for mid-February.

The store will provide about 15 new jobs with more than half of them expected to be full-time positions. People interested in applying may click HERE.

The store will feature a pet wash, garden center and feed center.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @bobjoseph.bsky.social on Bluesky or @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.