Jamestown

Local Public and Private Partners Recognized During Annual Conference in IthacaRepresentatives from the City of Jamestown, Gebbie Foundation, CCIDA, Chautauqua County Planning & Development, CCPEG, C&S Companies, and the Harrison Studio were recently in Ithaca to accept the American Planning Association (APA) New York Upstate Chapter’s “Best Practice” award for the development and completion of the Chadakoin River Strategic Business Plan. (Image courtesy of APA New York Upstate Chapter) ITHACA, NY -- The American Planning Association (APA) New York Upstate Chapter has awarded the Chadakoin River Strategic Business Plan with its “Best Practice” award. The award was presented to the numerous individuals involved with developing the plan during the chapter’s annual meeting in Ithaca earlier this month. The Chadakoin River Strategic Business Plan was designed as an easy-to-deploy blueprint for the development of the City of Jamestown’s river corridor as a unique and vibrant destination that capitalizes upon existing assets, identifies important public improvements, increases the amount of activity while improving quality of life, and leverages future investments. Armed with a clear understanding of the existing conditions, the plan proposes a series of individual activities - varied in nature - but all designed to enhance the Chadakoin corridor as a vibrant urban waterway with exceptional recreational and ecotourism opportunities. It was completed in the spring of 2021. The concept to develop the plan as a “business strategy” is the result of the public-private collaboration between a variety of stakeholders, including the City of Jamestown, Gebbie Foundation, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) /Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG), Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, and several Jamestown-based businesses. The core group that worked on completing the plan included the City of Jamestown, Gebbie Foundation, CCIDA, Chautauqua County Planning & Development, CCPEG, C&S Companies, and the Harrison Studio. “A lot of time and effort went into the development of this plan by multiple partners and we were thrilled to see all of our hard work being recognized through this special award,” said Mark Geise, CCIDA CEO and CCPEG Advisory Board Co-Chair. “Implementation of the recommendations suggested in this strategy will result in activation of this critical downtown asset.” “The Chadakoin River Business Plan is an invaluable tool in helping to guide the development of the Chadakoin River corridor for years to come, helping to lead to a stronger and more vibrant economy for the city of Jamestown and Chautauqua County. Thank you to Upstate New York APA for recognizing the work that went into creating this crucial document,” said Crystal Surdyk, City of Jamestown Development Director. The APA New York Upstate Chapter’s “Best Practice” award is given annually to a specific planning tool, practice, program, project, or process in New York State. The award emphasizes results and demonstrates how innovative and state-of-the-art planning methods and practices help to create communities of lasting value. CCPEG has worked with the city and other project partners to leverage the plan to secure several grants and funding commitments to advance several projects recommended within it, including a Department of State Local Waterfront Revitalization Program award of $1,280,661, an Empire State Development capital grant in the amount of $361,000, $50,000 from CCPEG, and an allocation of ARPA funding from the City of Jamestown. Funds will advance a first phase of improvements to the Chadakoin River Basin area to increase public access to the water and spur economic activity in and around downtown Jamestown. Enhancements to the north shore of the Basin include a signature garden, mural, tiered seating space, and placemaking items. The south shore will benefit from the addition of a kayak launch, dock, and welcome center for visitors.  The City is currently out to bid on this phase of work and anticipates improvements getting underway in 2025. The full Chadakoin River Business Plan can be found under the “Business Development” section of Chadakoin.org. About CCPEG - The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) serves as the main convener of economic development partners and resources to advance key projects that achieve economic prosperity in Chautauqua County. It also serves as the catalyst and broker of resources for advancing economic prosperity efforts and is the central coordinating entity for the formation, retention, development, and attraction of quality jobs and advancements to the quality of life. It is an initiative of the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC). For more information visit CHQPartnership.org.

Funding comes from CCIDA’s new Brownfield Revolving Loan FundJAMESTOWN, NY -- The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) Board of Directors approved its first loan from a newly established Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund (BRLF) for brownfield cleanup and redevelopment. Southern Tier Environments for Living (STEL) was approved for a $325,000 low-interest loan that will help jumpstart the Gateway Lofts project at 31 Water Street in Jamestown. Loan funding will help with STEL’s urgent need to install a sub slab depressurization system, which is required by the New York State Department of Environmental Conversation before development can take place. The Gateway Lofts project will transform the Gateway Center, the former Chautauqua Hardware factory, into a 110-unit, multi-family affordable housing complex, which will be anchored by supportive wrap-around services. The $67 million project is a collaboration among Community Helping Hands, the YWCA of Jamestown, and STEL. STEL is hopeful that the overall project financing will be finalized in the coming months, with construction anticipated to begin in mid-to-late 2025. Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CCIDA CEO, Mark Geise stated, “This type of project aligns perfectly with the intended purpose of the new BRLF, which is to provide critical gap financing to ensure complicated brownfield remediation and redevelopment projects can come to fruition. While this is a complex project, we’re excited to see it moving forward, and we hope our assistance will help get it over the finish line.” According to Tom Whitney, Executive Director of STEL, the Project was ready to close on all sources of financing in April 2020. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the tax credit investor for the project pulled out. Inflationary factors contributed to a much higher overall project cost; however, STEL has the project back on track with all required local approvals obtained and a new investor on board.  “We are incredibly thankful to the CCIDA for providing critical financing for the environmental-cleanup and monitoring components of this project while we wait for New York State Brownfield Tax Credits to become available,” said Whitney.  “We’re hopeful that with this challenge addressed, we can button up the remaining project components and move to construction next year.”  This project marks the second time the CCIDA and STEL have collaborated in the last year. In 2023, STEL and their partner, Park Grove Development, took over as the developer of the Silver Creek High School property in the village of Silver Creek. That project, which involves the demolition of the derelict former school building and the development of 54 affordable senior housing units, is slated to close and move forward by the end of 2024. “STEL has been a great partner of the CCIDA in redeveloping key properties of community importance, delivering more affordable housing opportunities, and eliminating blight in Chautauqua County, all of which align with our economic development goals,” said Geise. “I can’t thank Tom Whitney and his team enough for their determination in making these complicated projects realities.” In 2019, Chautauqua County and the CCIDA re-engaged in brownfields redevelopment activities to improve blighted and underutilized areas in the County, improve the health and safety of its citizens by cleaning up contaminated sites, increase the County’s tax base, spur job creation, and where applicable, kick-start revitalization activities within neighborhoods throughout the municipalities in the County. The CCIDA was able to establish its BRLF in 2023 after it applied for and received a $600,000 United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant in late 2022 to initiate this program. Coupled with funding the CCIDA received from Chautauqua County, the Agency’s BRLF was established to provide loans to for-profit and non-profit developers, and subgrants to municipalities to facilitate brownfield remediation and redevelopment of key properties. Being accepted into this program also places the CCIDA in a favorable position to secure supplemental EPA resources to replenish the fund as more loans are made. “It was imperative Chautauqua County Government support the establishment of the CCIDA’s Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund,” said Paul “PJ” Wendel, Chautauqua County Executive. “Like so many other municipalities in the Northeast, there is a long list of legacy industrial sites in Chautauqua County that need attention and remediation. This fund will help in that effort and, as a result, help to grow and strengthen our local economy as we continue to move forward.” Since its inception in 1995, EPA’s investments in brownfield sites have leveraged more than $35 billion in cleanup and redevelopment activities, which has led to significant benefits for communities across the country. The CCIDA was one of only 17 awardees across the Unites States to receive a Revolving Loan Fund grant to establish the program. 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.

Businesses in Jamestown, Gerry, and Silver Creek will help retain and grow job numbersJAMESTOWN, N.Y.: --- At its March 26, 2024 meeting, the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) Board of Directors approved low-interest loans for three separate businesses totaling $725,000: Tim & Edmond, LLC; LINC Products & Services (LINC); and Excelco/Newbrook, Inc (ENI). The loans will not only help to retain existing positions but also lead to additional jobs being created in Chautauqua County. Tim & Edmond, LLC Loan The loan approved for Tim & Edmond, LLC was for $400,000 and will be used to assist in the upgrade of its facility at 245 and 255 Fluvanna Ave. in Jamestown. Tim and Edmond Shults - owners of Shults Real Estate and Tim & Edmond, LLC - have operated the real estate management company since 2007. In 2016, they purchased the 60,000-Square-foot former Quality Markets location and received a use variance from the City of Jamestown Zoning Board of Appeals for light manufacturing in this location. The new upgrade project will help ensure the Fluvanna Avenue facility can accommodate additional manufacturing usage. Total cost of the upgrade is $1,020,000. The terms of the $400,000 CCIDA loan are 15 years and 4% interest. LINC Loans The CCIDA Board also approved two loans totaling $225,000 for LINC to assist with the acquisition of Universal Tool Company (UTC), located at 4529 Route 60 in Gerry. LINC is a small, Native American-owned business and is certified as a New York State Minority and/or Women-owned Business Enterprise (NYS MWBE). It specializes in business development/technical sales; supply services for machine tools, tooling, and manufacturing equipment; supply services for raw materials; and subcontract services for manufacturing and construction. LINC is in the process of purchasing the assets of UTC, a full-service production computer numerical control (CNC) machining business. It is focused on injection mold tooling, tool and die, and contract manufacturing services. UTC currently has three employees. Following the acquisition, LINC plans to retain the existing employees, hire two more within 30 days, and add approximately 20 more over the next five years. The terms of both loans are for seven years at 4% interest. ENI Loan ENI, located at 16 Mechanic St. in Silver Creek, specializes in building complex mechanical equipment, prototype components, and low volume production runs of specialized equipment for undersea, naval, and nuclear applications. The CCIDA board approved a $100,000 working capital loan for ENI to fund the cost associated with increased work-in-process inventory, materials and supplies for increased production, and to provide contract financing for two major orders. ENI currently has 44 employees and is planning to increase that number to 50. The loan’s terms are for five years at 4% interest. “The IDA’s low-interest loan program is intended to offer assistance to companies that want to invest in our communities and local workforce, and each of the loans approved today by our Board of Directors do just that. We’re excited to see these three businesses invest in Chautauqua County and offer new employment opportunities in Jamestown, Gerry, and Silver Creek,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CCIDA CEO. Wicked Jimmy's Due Diligence PILOT Resolution In addition to approving loans for three separate businesses, the CCIDA Board of Directors also approved a due diligence resolution for Wicked Jimmy’s LLC, involving a potential Tax Lease Payment in Lieu of Tax (PILOT) agreement. As announced by the CCIDA in January, Wicked Jimmy’s LLC will purchase property at 115-121 West 3rd St. in Jamestown, the site of the former Jamestown Brewing Company. Once open, it will operate as Wicked Warren’s. The due diligence resolution is not binding, but acknowledges the CCIDA will consider property tax, sales tax, and mortgage tax incentives for the $2.35 million project. Specific details of the proposed incentives will be provided as part of a future public hearing (date to be determined), followed by an approving resolution to be acted on by the board at a future meeting. 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.