Dahlstrom Roll Form

Three Economic Development Organizations Collaborate to Deliver Over $675,000 in FundingCHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, NY --- The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA), Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Jamestown Community College (JCC), and CHQ Chamber have announced the completion of their successful business assistance programs. Since 2021, the three organizations have been collaborating to assist area businesses or nonprofits with grant funding to upgrade their marketing tools and presence, with more than 80 different employers directly benefitting from the related programs intended to assist with recovery from the effects of the COVID pandemic. The largest program to be implemented was the CCIDA Business Marketing Assistance Program, which focused on marketing grants of up to $10,000 for small businesses (less than 50 employees), with funding provided through Chautauqua County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation. The first round of the program, launched in late 2021, resulted in 41 businesses receiving grants. It proved to be so successful that several businesses were placed on a waiting list until a second round of funding could be secured. That occurred in early 2023 through a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. As a result, an additional 35 business were assisted through the marketing program. A third round of the program was initiated in June 2023 following a second allocation of Chautauqua County ARPA funding, with eight additional businesses being assisted. In all, 84 businesses benefited from the marketing grants, averaging approximately $7,750 each. All said, more than $650,000 was granted out to businesses, not-for-profits, and other agencies as a result of this program. COMPLETE LIST OF BUSINESSES IMAGE INFORMATION: More than 80 different Chautauqua County businesses benefitted from the recently completed Business Marketing Assistance Program, including (clockwise from upper left): Carlberg Farm, Ohm Nohm Gluten Free, Pearl City Cycle, and Integrity First. “The pandemic presented unprecedented challenges, and local business owners had to adapt to succeed,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CCIDA CEO. “Helping businesses to evolve and expand their marketing reach became the driving force behind this program – ways to help businesses increase foot and on-line traffic in order to boost their sales. Marketing is crucial; however, it is typically the one area that gets reduced during difficult financial times.” The administration of the Marketing Assistance Program was provided by both SBDC and CHQ Chamber, which helped to promote and market the grant opportunity to businesses across the county.  “While marketing is a critical aspect for any business, it tends to be pushed off to the side due to limited time and resources,” said Courtney L. Curatolo, Ph.D., Director, SBDC at JCC. “The ARPA and Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation funds enabled these businesses the freedom to be creative in an effort to promote their businesses in unique and diverse ways. Not only did the businesses that were awarded the funds see an impact, but we also encouraged everyone to use local vendors for their marketing needs to increase the impact. This has been a great partnership between the CCIDA, SBDC, and CHQ Chamber.”  “One positive during the pandemic was a renewed focus on shopping and supporting local,” said Daniel Heitzenrater, CHQ Chamber President & CEO. “These grants helped small local businesses market their products while connecting them with support organizations like the Chamber, SBDC and CCIDA. In addition to supporting many traditional marketing and advertising projects, it has also been exciting to see our local businesses thinking outside of the box to propose and implement new ideas.” Another program that was launched to assist businesses was the Economic Gardening Program, which provided customized data, analysis, and technical assistance to select “Stage 2” Companies (those poised to grow) to help elevate their business planning, with the intent of growing revenue and employment. The program was offered through the Invest Buffalo Niagara economic development agency. The total amount of funding committed to the program was $25,740 and was provided through the County’s ARPA allocation. A total of six county businesses benefited (two of which also received funds from the Business Marketing Assistance Program). Companies benefitting from the Economic Gardening Program included Jamestown Plastics, Jamestown Advanced – Homestead Implements, Dahlstrom Roll Form, Double A Vineyards, El Greco Furniture, and Barton Tool. The CCIDA, SBDC, and CHQ Chamber also worked with Insyte Consulting to launch a third program to assist businesses. The Company Culture/ESG Program was launched to assist manufacturers (up to 500 employees) with developing strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) polices, which help to guide companies toward long-term success. Through this program, Insyte Consulting and the CCIDA developed a self-auditing “white paper” that was widely distributed to manufacturers throughout the county. Over $700,000 in total funding was provided for the three programs through Chautauqua County ARPA funding and from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. County Executive PJ Wendel said, “The COVID Pandemic was a trying time for employers of all types and sizes across the country and around the world, including here in Chautauqua County. We recognized it was extremely important to help as many of our local businesses as possible, and are grateful that we as the County and the Wilson Foundation understood this and were in a position to assist businesses with the necessary funding needed to implement these program. We hope these businesses were not only able to stay open, but also flourish, as a result of our support. I also wanted to commend the CCIDA, the JCC SBDC, and the County Chamber for teaming up to bring these programs to fruition.” A list of all businesses that benefitted from the grant programs can be found online in the news section of ChooseCHQ.com. About CCIDA - The CCIDA is an economic development organization authorized and empowered by the State of New York to make Chautauqua County a better place to work, live, and visit. It facilitates development by attracting new businesses, while promoting the retention and expansion of existing businesses. Assistance in the form of incentives – tax abatements, low interest loans, and bond financing – enhances the opportunities for job creation and retention by our businesses. For more information visit ChooseCHQ.com. About SBDC - The New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC) provides small business owners and entrepreneurs in New York with the highest quality, confidential business counseling, training, and business research at no cost.  New York SBDC is a Partnership Program with the SBA, administered by the State University of New York. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information visit SBDCJCC.org. About CHQ Chamber - The CHQ Chamber is the third largest business advocacy organization in Western New York and represents over 900 businesses throughout Chautauqua County. Our mission is to build vital connections, provide professional resources, and champion our local businesses in Chautauqua County. For more information visit CHQChamber.org.

Board also Approves Loan for Equipment Purchase at Dunkirk Metal ProductsPictured: Brad Renwick (left) and Jeremy Blum are the new owners of Dahlstrom Roll Form in Falconer, NY, thanks in part to a recently approved loan by the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency’s board of directors during its April 21, 2024 meeting. JAMESTOWN, N.Y.: — At its May 21, 2024 meeting, the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) Board of Directors approved two loans involving local manufacturers in Falconer and Sheridan. One loan will assist with the purchase of Lakeside Capital Corporation, doing business as Dahlstrom Roll Form. The other loan will assist with the purchase of equipment at Dunkirk Metal Products of WNY, LLC (DMP). The loans will not only help to retain 79 jobs between the two manufacturers, but also create four new positions. The loan for Dahlstrom Roll Form was $900,000 and will go to Jeremy Blum, current Chief Executive Officer of the company, and Brad Renwick, the current Chief Operations Officer. The two will use the loan to assist with the purchase of the company from Robert White, its current president. Dahlstrom Roll Form has a long and storied history in the greater Jamestown area. It was founded in 1904 by Charles Dahlstrom, a Swedish immigrant, as the Dahlstrom Metallic Door Company and initially made doors for large-scale buildings across the United States, including the construction of the Empire State Building. It eventually expanded its metallic roll form operation to meet other needs. Changes in ownership have occurred over the years, with White purchasing the operation in 2007. In 2019, Dahlstrom Roll Form purchased DC Roll Form at 221 Lister Ave., in Falconer, with financial assistance from the CCIDA through a mortgage recording tax exemption. In 2022, the company fully moved into the new location. By keeping the company locally owned, the move will help to retain 43 jobs and create two additional positions. Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and Chief Executive Officer of the CCIDA, said keeping ownership local will help to ensure the company continues to operate in Chautauqua County for years and decades to come. “It is essential that the CCIDA supports local manufacturers, such as Dahlstrom Roll Form, especially when that assistance results in local ownership,” Geise said. “Robert White has been terrific in ensuring the company remains locally-owned and competitive on the global stage, and I have every confidence that Jeremy and Brad, as well as their tremendous workforce, will do the same.” “We are thankful for the support and assistance from the CCIDA in helping us make this purchase,” Blum and Renwick said in a joint statement. “We look forward to our continued involvement at Dahlstrom Roll Form as the new owners and will work to continue the strong manufacturing legacy the company has secured in the greater Jamestown area and Chautauqua County.” “Dahlstrom Roll Form has a storied manufacturing legacy in Chautauqua County and it’s great to see that continue with the new ownership, who will help provide stable, good-paying jobs to our residents,” said PJ Wendel, Chautauqua County Executive. “Congratulations to Mr. Blum and Mr. Renwick in their roles as new owners, and thank you to Mr. White for helping to build on and preserve the Dahlstrom legacy with his decision to move to a newer, more modern facility a short time ago. This support by the CCIDA illustrates the important role the agency plays in our local economy.” The loan for DMP (3575 Chadwick Drive) was for $280,000 and will be used to help with the purchase of a Tube Laser Cutting System. DMP is a metal fabricator and has been in existence in Chautauqua County since 2012, along with its predecessor entities going back to the 1940s. It provides quality parts primarily in Western New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania. The new laser machine is a newer technology with specialized applications for different tube cutting applications (round, square, oval, etc.). The new equipment will help to retain 36 jobs and create two new positions at DMP. “We’ve assessed the local marketplace and feel the new equipment will provide an excellent opportunity for cost savings and business growth,” said Jean Gaulin, DMP partner and CFO. “Establishing and growing this segment of the business will be a primary focus over the next three years and beyond.”  “We’re happy to assist DMP with the purchase of this new equipment,” Giese said. “Dunkirk Metal Products has proven to be a valuable employer for dozens of workers in the North County and this loan from the IDA will help ensure it remains that way in the coming years.” # # # About CCIDA - The CCIDA is an economic development organization authorized and empowered by the State of New York to make Chautauqua County a better place to work, live, and visit. It facilitates development by attracting new businesses, while promoting the retention and expansion of existing businesses. Assistance in the form of incentives – tax abatements, low interest loans, and bond financing – enhances the opportunities for job creation and retention by our businesses. For more information visit ChooseCHQ.com. About Dahlstrom Roll Form: Dahlstrom manufactures custom roll formed metal components. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) make up about 90% of the company’s revenue. Current OEM segments include power distribution, elevator/escalators, refrigerated food storage, HVAC, industrial reels, solar mounting systems, commercial door/frame/windows, and parts for trucks, buses and rail. Architectural moldings have a 115 year history with Dahlstrom and are the fastest growing portion of their business. More info at Dahlstromrollform.com. About Dunkirk Metal Products: DMP is a precision sheet metal fabrication and stamping company founded in 1947 and centrally located among various northeast industrial centers including: Buffalo, NY, Rochester, NY, Pittsburgh, PA, Cleveland, OH, Columbus, OH and Toronto, Canada. Services include CNC laser cutting, CNC turret press punching, CNC brake press bending and forming, precision sheet metal stamping, MIG welding, TIG welding and other metal related services all monitored and controlled by a seasoned engineering and quality control staff. More info at DunkirkMetalProducts.com.