MARK GEISE

New program will help showcase Chautauqua County to new county residents/workforce membersDUNKIRK, NY – The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) and County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) are announcing a new program as part of the Live CHQ initiative to help introduce new and prospective residents to all that the county has to offer.  The Live CHQ Workforce Ambassador Program involves people who live and work in Chautauqua County serving as local ambassadors, each with varying backgrounds and interests, and each committed to sharing the benefits that come with living and working in the county. The program matches up new or prospective residents with an ambassador that matches their interests. Together, they will spend time out in the county with a goal of showcasing why it’s an appealing place to live, work, and play. “This is a great resource and recruitment tool for local employers who want to help a new or prospective employee learn more about living in Chautauqua County, including our attractions, local groups and organizations, amenities, and recreational opportunities,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development, CCIDA CEO, and CCPEG Advisory Board Co-Chair. “It’s also great for any individual who has recently relocated to the county and is looking for new networking opportunities, or is just trying to find things to do outside of the workplace that fit with their own background and interests.” “We recognize that not everyone who has moved here or plans to relocate to our county for work has all the information necessary to enjoy the all the quality amenities that come with living here. Our hope is that through this program, they can make the necessary connections needed to not only enjoy being a resident of the county, but also ensure they can make the most out of living here and being part of our community,” said Nate Aldrich, Economic Development Manager for the CCIDA and CCPEG. The Live CHQ Workforce Ambassador Program is intended to compliment the recently launched Live CHQ initiative, which focuses on talent attraction and retention for Chautauqua County. Details for the ambassador program were unveiled in November during a special Live CHQ Workforce Development luncheon with local employers to help inform them of all the recruitment resources available through the initiative. Currently, the program has 17 ambassadors who live and work throughout the county, each with their own unique and diverse set of interests and backgrounds. Some of the ambassadors are native to the county, while others relocated here; however, all take pride in calling Chautauqua County home and want to help share their positive perspectives on being a resident. Biographical details of each of the ambassadors can be found online at LiveCHQ.org – along with instructions on how to set up a meeting with the ambassador. Businesses or individuals who want to take advantage of the program will be asked to fill out a simple inquiry form to help connect them with an ambassador. Once a connection is made, the individual and the ambassador will then work out details for planning a meetup in the county. “Meetings can take place anywhere in Chautauqua County - at a local club meeting or networking event, an outdoor concert, on one of our many outdoor trails or parks, or at a local restaurant or coffee shop. The possibilities are endless,” said Monica Simpson, CCPEG Partnership Engagement Coordinator and also one of the 16 ambassadors. “Best of all – the program is free to participate and open to all new and prospective residents of Chautauqua County, with CCPEG helping to cover any related expenses.” For more information, including the ambassador profiles and the inquiry form, visit the Live CHQ Workforce Ambassador page. “We want to ensure our new residents have a welcoming experience. This program is all about providing a personal connection to the community and helping newcomers navigate both their professional opportunities and the various lifestyles Chautauqua County provides. A big thank you to Monica Simpson for organizing and launching this program, along with all the ambassadors who are volunteering their time to bring this valuable program to fruition,” Geise added. In addition to the Workforce Ambassador Program, any employer that would like to learn more about all of the resources available through the Live CHQ initiative can visit the Recruitment page at LiveCHQ.org, or contact the CCIDA office at 716-661-8900.  About Live CHQ – Live CHQ is a joint marketing campaign launched by the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency and the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth in 2024 to assist with talent attraction and retention efforts across Chautauqua County, NY. The overall goal of the campaign is to help raise awareness of Chautauqua County as a viable place for individuals and families to live by speaking to the sensibilities, desires, and expectations of people who are considering the county as their primary residence. For more information visit LiveCHQ.org. CAPTIONS - Image 1: Live CHQ Workforce Ambassadors Sarah Gilbert, Solimar Vazquez, Kenny Macdonald, Martha Schmitt, Kenny Schmitt, and Abram Rak during a recent orientation meeting in Dunkirk. Image 2: Live CHQ Workforce Ambassadors Alicia Ekstrom, Staunzie Grady, Monica Simpson, and Erica Rose, Rose during the Live CHQ Workforce Development Luncheon at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in November.  A complete list of all current ambassadors can be found online at LiveCHQ.org. 

Informational Luncheon Explains How Live CHQ Initiative Can Assist Local Hiring EffortsAn estimated 70 representatives from local employers were at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron on Monday November 18 to learn how to apply the Live CHQ marketing initiative to their own hiring and retention efforts. CELORON, NY – An estimated 70 people representing employers from across Chautauqua County were at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in mid November to attend a luncheon focusing on the Live CHQ initiative. Hosted by representatives from the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) and the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG), the event provided local employers with additional information on Chautauqua County’s new branding initiative, including how it could help them with their efforts to recruit workers from outside of Chautauqua County to fill open positions. Launched in April 2024, the Live CHQ talent attraction and retention initiative is intended to market Chautauqua County as an exceptional place to live, work, and do business by highlighting the benefits and positive aspects of being a resident. Those benefits include affordability, job opportunities, our cultural and entertainment attractions, and a wide variety of outdoor recreational options. Much of the campaign’s messaging can be found on the website LiveCHQ.org, with marketing on traditional and digital media platforms used to steer people to the website. “While Live CHQ is primarily intended to market our county to people living outside of the Chautauqua Region, another focus is to encourage local employers to utilize and leverage the initiative for their own hiring efforts,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CCIDA CEO. “We want all employers, regardless of size, to be aware of the initiative and use it in their own hiring efforts – especially when it comes to recruiting from outside of the area.” To help local businesses and organizations better understand the campaign and all the resources available, the CCIDA and CCPEG staff held the Live CHQ Workforce Development Luncheon on Nov. 18 – inviting many of the county’s largest employers as well as smaller professional businesses that often recruit from outside of the county. During the Luncheon, attendees learned about various features of the Live CHQ website, the recently rebranded Chautauqua County Relocation Guide, and the newly launched CCPEG Workforce Ambassador program. There were also provided with copies of the Relocation Guide and other marketing materials to assist them with recruitment efforts, including job fairs. “Many of our local businesses and nonprofits need more skilled, talented, and experienced employees to fill vacant jobs. We are encouraging the business community to use Live CHQ to assist with their recruitment efforts, especially for talent located outside of the area who may be unfamiliar with what Chautauqua County has to offer,” explained Nate Aldrich, Chautauqua County Economic Development Coordinator and CCPEG Manager. “Following the luncheon, we were pleased to hear several attendees say they found it very beneficial and they plan to implement Live CHQ with their current recruitment efforts,” Geise said. “We also want those who didn’t attend to know that we’d be happy to provide more details about Live CHQ and assist them with their recruitment efforts.” Any employer that would like to learn more about the various resources available through the Live CHQ initiative can visit the Recruitment page at LiveCHQ.org, or contact the CCIDA office at 716-661-8900. About Live CHQ – Live CHQ is a joint marketing campaign launched by the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency and the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth in 2024 to assist with talent attraction and retention efforts across Chautauqua County, NY. The overall goal of the campaign is to help raise awareness of Chautauqua County as a viable place for individuals and families to live by speaking to the sensibilities, desires, and expectations of people who are considering the county as their primary residence. For more information visit www.LiveCHQ.com.

Funding will Extend and Enhance CCPEG’s Administrative and Project Development CapacityJAMESTOWN, N.Y. -- The Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC), the umbrella organization of the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG), on Tuesday, November 19 authorized the acceptance of a three-year funding award from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, totaling $1.625 Million. The grant award, CCPEG’s largest financial commitment to date, will extend and enhance CCPEG’s administrative and project development capacity while dedicating the majority of the funding for the implementation of priority projects in alignment with the county’s economic development strategy. This flexible funding pool is designed to provide critical local-matching dollars for catalytic economic and community development projects seeking funding from a multitude of local, state, federal, and philanthropic sources. CCPEG Advisory Board Co-Chair Mark Geise, who is also the County’s Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CEO of the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA), said, “I am extremely grateful to the Wilson Foundation for their continued support and I am very pleased to see the Partnership for Economic Growth driving collaborations and investments in priority economic and community development projects across the county.” The Partnership for Economic Growth finalized and adopted a five-year economic development strategy in 2020. This comprehensive approach resulted in the creation of five overarching initiatives and dozens of other key recommendations to be initiated by individual partners as well as collectively. It was designed to serve as a “call to action” and offers a clear vision for achieving economic prosperity in Chautauqua County. Most importantly, it promotes a collaborative and countywide outlook that supports substantial initiatives and strategic investments, to incrementally transform Chautauqua County’s economic standing in Western New York and across the State. While the strategic plan serves as a roadmap, partners convene regularly within five individual work groups to identify priorities in the areas of Business Development, Placemaking, Workforce Readiness and Development, Infrastructure, and Housing. Through this process, CCPEG identifies, vets, develops, helps to fund, and implements specific actions, projects, programs, and initiatives that align to the strategy. While specific projects to be funded by the Wilson Foundation award are yet to be determined, criteria such as project readiness, feasibility, and economic impact will be used to guide decision-making. Nathan Aldrich, Economic Development Manager for CREDC and CCPEG, noted that the Partnership has helped attract more than $45 million in funding to Chautauqua County to support dozens of different priority projects since the partnership was launched in 2019. “This second major grant award is a game-changer and will not only enable us to continue our work, but to take it to the next level,” said Aldrich.  “We look forward to realizing the tremendous impact that this funding will have on our ability to execute our mission and implement several transformative economic development projects within the next few years.” Geise and Aldrich also noted their appreciation to the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (NCCF), who helped advance the creation of the countywide economic development strategy and launch of CCPEG, and the Gebbie Foundation, who has also been a supporter of the initiative. “In addition to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, NCCF, and the Gebbie Foundation, we’d like to thank all of our committed partners, funders, Advisory Board members, and staff for their dedication to this unique public-private economic development collaborative,” said Geise. # # # 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.

Assistance will help company with effort to build a new, state-of-the-art complex to produce ice cream and frozen novelty products; will create approximately 270 new jobsDUNKIRK, NY -- At its November 19, 2024 meeting, the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) Board of Directors approved incentives to Wells Enterprises, Inc. The incentives, which include a Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement and Sales Tax Exemption, will assist the company with the construction of its new, state-of-the-art facility in Dunkirk. This latest round of CCIDA incentives (Phase III) for the company follows two previous rounds of incentives (Phase I in 2019 and Phase II in 2023). When combined, all three phases result in Wells adding 270 new jobs and retaining approximately 380 full-time jobs. In August 2023, Wells Enterprises, owned by The Ferrero Group, announced plans for the full redevelopment of its existing Dunkirk manufacturing facility, located at 1 Ice Cream Drive. The facility plays an important role in the company’s expansion plans for its national manufacturing network of Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pop, and Blue Ribbon Classics brands. This Phase II project was anticipated to more than double the facility's current production output and help support their continued plans for growth in novelty and packaged ice cream, while enabling future innovation. The estimated total cost of the Phase II project was $250 million and will create an estimated 250 new jobs by 2028. Earlier this year, Wells announced that in addition to the previously announced redevelopment effort, it would also build a new state-of-the-art, 133,000 square-foot Segregated Compound Facility ("SCF") which will serve as a new chocolate plant and increased production space. The SCF would be the first of its kind in ice cream in the US, with the ability to run a 15-line plant by 2028. This Phase III project is estimated to cost $175 million and will create 20 new jobs by 2030. An estimated 150 temporary construction jobs would also be created by the project. To help ensure Phase III can move forward, the CCIDA on Tuesday provided a 10-year PILOT for the project and will result in payments to the affected taxing jurisdictions (City of Dunkirk, Dunkirk School District, and Chautauqua County) totaling $2,241,980. In July, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul was in Dunkirk to announce the state is also supporting the project with up to $12 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits and a $6 million grant from Empire State Development in exchange for job creation and capital investment commitments. The new facility increases the total project cost to $425 million between Phase II and Phase III. The Phase I portion of the project, announced in 2019, involved $87 million in capital investments to the existing Wells facility, which included the addition of new property to accommodate a $7 million power substation.  “We couldn’t be more excited about the future of Wells and the role this expansion in Dunkirk will play in our ambition to be the U.S. ice cream category leader. We are extremely grateful to the State of New York, Chautauqua County, and the community of Dunkirk for their unwavering support of our growth. Most importantly, this is testament to the leadership and commitment of every one of our team members in Dunkirk. Their passion, drive, and excellence in operations are truly what makes this possible,” said Liam Killeen, Wells Enterprises CEO.  “Over the past five years, Wells has committed to investing more than $500 million in our county, illustrating a tremendous commitment to the Dunkirk community and the local workforce for years and decades to come,” said Mark Geise, Deputy Chautauqua County Executive for Economic Development and CCIDA CEO. “I am proud of the support the CCIDA has been able to provide to Wells to help make all three phases a reality and ensure we not only help to retain jobs in northern Chautauqua County, but also see a significant increase in the coming years.” “Wells Enterprises' commitment to our community's prosperity is truly commendable, and we are proud to support this transformative project. This expansion goes beyond ice cream production; it represents a promising future for Dunkirk and Chautauqua County. We are grateful for Wells and the Ferrero Group's dedication to our region, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the CCIDA and the State of New York for their invaluable funding and support in making this project possible,” said Paul “PJ” Wendel, Chautauqua County Executive.  “This expansion not only signifies Wells’ commitment to the community but also promises a brighter future by creating 270 new jobs. Together, we will pave the way for economic growth and prosperity, ensuring that Dunkirk and Chautauqua County continue to thrive and shine,” said Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz. Both The Ferrero Group and Wells have a strong history of success. Ferrero, which was founded in 1946, has grown to become a global leader in sweet-packaged foods, including confectionary, ice cream, biscuits, and snacks. Wells has become the world’s largest family owned and managed ice cream company since it was founded in 1913 as a dairy delivery business. Artone Receives Loan for Equipment Purchase In other action during the November CCIDA board meeting, a low interest loan of $240,000 was approved for Artone LLC, located at 1089 Allen St., Jamestown, NY. The loan will be used to assist the company with the purchase of new equipment, with a total cost of $600,000. The rate and term for the loan was 4% for six years. Artone manufactures furniture for the hospitality industry and earlier this year the company celebrated 50 years in business. “Artone is a family owned-and-operated business in Jamestown with a successful track record of providing quality furniture for the hotel and hospitality industry,” Geise said. “We are happy to assist them with the purchase of new equipment that will help the company keep a competitive edge by creating more efficiency in their operation to help expand capacity and capability.” # # # About Wells Enterprises - Wells Enterprises, Inc. is the largest privately held ice cream manufacturer in the United States. Founded in 1913 by Fred H. Wells and run by the Wells family for generations, the company is an independent operating company of the Ferrero Group, one of the global leaders in sweet, packaged foods. Wells produces more than 200 million gallons of ice cream per year and distributes products in all 50 states. Wells manufactures its signature brand Blue Bunny®, lower-calorie Halo Top®, the iconic Bomb Pop®, and Blue Ribbon Classics®. Wells employs nearly 4,000 ice cream aficionados across the country. The company is headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa, where Wells has made Le Mars the “Ice Cream Capital of the World” as the largest manufacturer of ice cream in one location. Wells operates two manufacturing plants in Le Mars, a manufacturing plant in Dunkirk, New York, and a manufacturing facility in Henderson, Nevada. Learn more at wellsenterprisesinc.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. They facilitate 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 www.ccida.com.

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.

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.

Phase IV Revitalization Efforts Focused on Trails in Panama and Brokenstraw State ForestsPeople who use Chautauqua County’s Fred J. Cusimano Westside Overland Trail in Panama and Brokenstraw State Forests will notice several improvements and upgrades, thanks to work that was recently completed through the Phase IV Overland Trail Revitalization Project. PANAMA, NY – In cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Chautauqua County Parks Department, the Chautauqua County Partnership of Economic Growth (CCPEG) is pleased to report that Phase IV of the Chautauqua County Overland Trails Revitalization Project is complete. The Phase IV redevelopment focused on updating the Fred J. Cusimano Westside Overland Trail in Panama and Brokenstraw State Forests, along with sections of private property south of Titus Road in the Town of Sherman. Blessed with dry and temperate weather in August and September, Trail Construction Associates (TCA) was able to complete its work without any issues. This marks the fourth year that TCA has been working on the Overland Trails and the company’s familiarity with the scope of work is evident in the finished product. Thom Wright, TCA co-owner, noted his appreciation to “collaborate with the land owners, the NYSDEC, and the county to bring these sections of the Overland Trails to a more sustainable level for trail users.” “Panama and Brokenstraw State Forests are absolutely beautiful public lands, and I am incredibly happy with TCA’s updates to the Overland Trail through these two state forests,” said Jacob Bodway, CCPEG Trail Coordinator. “There is one important reroute in Panama State Forest that adds accessibility for all trail user groups, and TCA also did a wonderful job of addressing some of the chronic wet areas of trail along sections of private property. I can’t thank the private property owners enough for recognizing the importance of the Overland Trails for Chautauqua County residents and visitors.” “As we seek to improve our recreational assets for existing county residents and market the county to prospective residents, it is essential that we have quality attributes for them to enjoy,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency CEO, and CCPEG advisory board co-chair. “The trails were tired and needed some much needed TLC, which this initiative addresses.” Phase IV was funded through the generous support of local foundations, including: Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, The Lenna Foundation, The Sheldon Foundation, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, The Jessie Smith Darrah Fund, and CCPEG. Pending future funding, Phase V of the Overland Trails project will focus on Boutwell Hill State Forest in the summer 2025. To learn more about all public trails in Chautauqua County, visit CHQTrails.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.

Bilskie will serve as CFO upon Retirement of current CFO Rich DixonJAMESTOWN, NY -- The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) is pleased to announce the addition of Shelby Bilskie to the position of Successor Chief Financial Officer (CFO). As Successor CFO, Bilskie will work under current CFO Richard Dixon until his retirement in mid 2025. At that time, she will then become the CCIDA’s new CFO. The CCIDA CFO position is responsible for the financial and operations management of the CCIDA, along with the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) and Chautauqua County Capitol Resource Corporation (CRC). Bilskie has more than a decade of experience in financial accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, most recently as the Senior Director of Financial Planning & Analysis – Corporate Officer (Treasurer) for Erie Management Group, LLC / Hero Biodiesel, LLC, a position she’s held since 2018. She’s also held the position of Senior Financial Analyst for Bluestem Brands (formerly Orchard Brands) from 2011 to 2018. Other past positions include manager of Warren County Speedway and teller at PNC Bank. “We’re excited to have Shelby join or team as she prepares to become the agency’s next CFO in 2025,” said Mark Geise, CCIDA CEO. “She has an extensive educational background and work history in financial oversight, and we’re confident she’ll be a valuable member of our team moving forward. We’re also very appreciative of our current CFO, Rich Dixon, for staying on board over the next eight months to assist Shelby as she transitions into the CFO position.” “We had several quality candidates apply for the CFO position, but at the end of the process Shelby stood out as the top choice, due to her skillset in financial oversight and her past work experience,” said Gary Henry, CCIDA, CCPEG, and CRC board chairman who was involved in the selection process. “We look forward to working with her and are also thankful for the immeasurable amount of work and effort that Rich Dixon has provided for our agencies the past two decades.” Bilskie is a 2010 graduate of Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, where she majored in mathematics with a special interest area and minor in statistics. She currently resides in Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania with her family.  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. They facilitate 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.

Action will assist with renovating former bank building at 401-403 Central AvenueJAMESTOWN, NY -- At its August 27, 2024 meeting, the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) Board of Directors approved incentives for 401 Central, LLC. The board action will support the purchase and renovation of property located at 401-403 Central Avenue in Dunkirk, known as the former Lake Shore National Bank building, as well as an adjacent parking lot on Lark Street. The incentives include real property, sales tax, and mortgage recording tax abatements. 401 Central, LLC was formed by Gary Crewson of Peak Development Partners, the Managing Member. Acting together with Lee Crewson (Agent) and Craig Marlatt (Preconstruction Manager), the plan is to purchase the building from its current owner, the Dunkirk Local Development Corporation (DLDC), and convert the 10,855 square-foot structure into five market rate apartments and approximately 1800-2800 square feet of commercial space. The building is prominently located at the intersection of Central Avenue and 4th Street, diagonal from City Hall and three blocks from the waterfront. The total cost of the project is estimated at $2.4 million. The financial assistance provided by the CCIDA will include sales tax, mortgage recording tax, and property tax abatements over 15 years, with $243,864 in new total PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) payments paid to the affected tax jurisdictions during that same time period as a result of the new capital investment. The project will also receive state funding from the recent Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant awarded to the city in 2023, plus an additional grant from the state’s Regional Economic Development Council. Built in 1938, the building was the longtime home of Lake Shore National Bank. It was later used by Marine Midland, HSBC, and then First Niagara Bank, which closed operations at the location in 2016 after First Niagara was bought by KeyBank. It has sat vacant ever since. The project will provide an estimated 24 construction jobs during the renovation period and, once complete, up to seven permanent full time jobs. Work is expected to begin immediately, with a tentative completion date of September 2025. “Our plan is to provide market rate apartments for working professionals who want to live in the downtown area, close to where they work. We also look forward to providing commercial space in a key corridor of Dunkirk to help enhance the business district,” said Gary Crewson. “We’re grateful to New York State, the City of Dunkirk, and the CCIDA for helping us move this project forward and can’t wait to see it completed and ready for use.” “The CCIDA is happy to offer financial incentives for this project at the request of the City of Dunkirk, and we’re excited to see it move forward,” said Mark Geise, Chautauqua County Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CEO of the CCIDA. “Communities across the country are challenged with legacy bank buildings that served a key purpose in the 20th century, but have become outdated with the advent of digital and online banking in the 21st century. It’s exactly the type of project our adaptive reuse PILOT program is intended to be used for, and it’s precisely the type of project that the City of Dunkirk’s downtown needs and will support.” “Adaptive Re-Use Projects” are qualified projects that involve adapting old sites or structures for new purposes, including potentially a mix of business and commercial uses, or market-rate housing. Adaptive Re-Use Projects are those that will benefit Chautauqua County by redeveloping a blighted site or structure, promoting development using existing infrastructure, and creating new economic activity at troubled sites or structures to assist in eliminating neighborhood blight. “It's great to see this project come to fruition in Dunkirk. If we want to grow our communities here in Chautauqua County and reverse the decades-long trend of population decline, we need to have modern, market-rate apartments available for working residents, especially those who want to live close to where they work," said County Executive Paul “PJ” Wendel. “We’re thrilled to see Gary Crewson and his team breathe new life into this vacant and deteriorating building in our central business district,” said Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz. "This project will be the first Downtown Revitalization Initiative project to have been started during this award process and the mixed-use project is going to be transformational for Central Avenue and I believe it’s just the beginning. So providing this type of assistance is in line with the IDA and the city’s vision and goals for revitalizing downtown Dunkirk. Our city is definitely on the move and we can’t wait to see it continue in the months and years that lie ahead.” 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.

Booklets are intended to help promote and provide key information about relocating to the countyThe recently updated Chautauqua County Relocation Guide has been rebranded to align with the new “Live CHQ” talent attraction and retention initiative and provides information on various aspects of county living, including the county’s key job sectors. A digital version of the guide can be found at LiveCHQ.org. JAMESTOWN, NY -- The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) and the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) are pleased to announce the completion and publication of an updated version of the Chautauqua County Relocation Guide. First published in 2019, the 27-page Relocation Guide was created to help provide key information about Chautauqua County, including the character and location of community amenities, events, places to recreate and spend leisure time, and the industries located here, as well as information about schools, the cost of living, and housing. The 2024 edition of the guide provides updated information, and also leverages branding of the recently launched Live CHQ talent attraction and retention initiative. Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive or Economic Development and CCIDA CEO, said the CCIDA and CCPEG are encouraging local employers to use the guide, along with the Live CHQ website, to help inform and educate prospective employees about the benefits of living in the county. “We know many of our businesses and nonprofits need skilled, talented, and experienced employees to fill vacant positions; however, the effort to find prospective job candidates is becoming more and more competitive, not only regionally but across the entire country,” Geise said. “Our Relocation Guide is intended to provide employers a valuable tool for their hiring efforts, especially when recruiting prospective employees from outside of Chautauqua County who may not be familiar with all that the county has to offer.” According to Geise, the Chautauqua County Relocation Guide can be used on its own or as a companion piece to the recently launched Live CHQ talent attraction and retention marketing initiative, which was created to help individuals, professionals, businesses, families, and others learn all about the county and why it’s a wonderful place to live, work, conduct business, and recreate. To help get the guide in the hands of key stakeholders, the CCIDA and CCPEG have printed several thousand copies and are in the process of meeting with business HR professionals to discuss this tool and provide hard copies. In addition, a digital version of the guides is available at LiveCHQ.org. Employers, recruitment agencies, community leaders, realtor groups, and others are encouraged to link the digital version of the Relocation Guide and the Live CHQ website to their websites and job postings. Any local employer, realtor, or community group in the south county interested in getting a copy or copies of the guide can contact Jason Sample, CCIDA and CCPEG Marketing and Communications Coordinator, at 716-661-8302 or by emailing SampleJ@chqgov.com. Those in the north county can contact Monica Simpson, CCPEG Partner Engagement Coordinator, at 716-363-3770 or email SimpsonM@chqgov.com. Copies can also be picked up during regular business hours at the CCIDA and CCPEG Jamestown or Dunkirk offices. 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 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.

Recent demolition removes eyesore from community, assists operations at local businessThis release is posted on behalf of the Chautauqua County Land Bank Corporation SILVER CREEK, NY: -- A long abandoned and unsafe structure in downtown Silver Creek was finally demolished last week with the assistance of the Chautauqua County Land Bank Corporation (CCLBC), the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA), and Chautauqua County. The demolition is the final stage of a two-part strategy. The first stage occurred in June 2022, when the CCIDA approved sales tax abatement incentives for Xmas Dave, LLC to make renovations to the former 130,000 square-foot Petri Baking Products building, located at 18 Main Street in the village. Xmas Dave is owned by Dave Gordon of Erie County, New York. Gordon made improvements at the location to operate a warehouse and distribution center for his internet fulfillment operations business, Christmas.com. The facility also works with other major retailers, selling seasonal holiday decorations, patio furniture, pool accessories, and more. A ribbon cutting was held in January 2023 at the facility following the extensive renovations. PILOT incentives were applicable for this project. The former Silver Creek Moose Lodge building was located at 259 Central Avenue, adjacent to the Xmas Dave warehouse. A fixture in the community since the early 1900s, the lodge sat vacant and abandoned for over a decade and was deemed unsafe and beyond repair by professional inspectors. In recent years, it had also been gutted and vandalized. The building was conveyed to the CCIDA in 2022 via the County’s tax foreclosure process, with approval from the Chautauqua County Legislature. The CCIDA then conveyed the property to Xmas Dave soon thereafter with plans to demolish the building and expand his operations. Following extensive asbestos abatement in the large building, work stalled due to complications that significantly increased the cost of the demolition project. The CCLBC and the CCIDA then stepped in to assist. The CCLBC was able to secure funding from Chautauqua County grant funds designated for this purpose, and used the funding to cover a majority of the cost to demolish the building and remove the debris pile, with the remaining cost covered by Xmas Dave. The additional property will significantly help with shipping operations for the Xmas Dave facility, with tractor trailers now having direct access into and out of the warehouse facility. Additionally, Gordon intends to use the parcel to expand his parking assets.  “The structure was a public hazard that simply could not be left in the condition that it was in. The community was suffering by the impasse; so we needed to step in,” said Gina Paradis, CCLBC Executive Director. Mark Geise, Chairman of the Land Bank and CEO of the CCIDA, echoed the sentiment. “The CCIDA was happy to facilitate the expansion of Mr. Gordon’s business into Silver Creek in 2022. We were equally pleased to help facilitate the transfer and demolition of the neighboring unsafe and unsightly Moose Lodge building since that time. Additionally, no property taxes were being paid on the building, and the additional real property tax revenue will benefit all of the taxing jurisdictions for many years,” said Geise. “I am proud of the work we did to overcome the complications of the demolition situation, thereby alleviating a safety hazard and assisting a key downtown business in Silver Creek. We are grateful to the Land Bank and the County for their assistance in bringing this project to fruition.” About CCLBC - The Chautauqua County Land Bank Corporation (CCLBC) is a nonprofit corporation, operating under New York State authority, to assist communities within Chautauqua County address the issues of blight caused by vacant, abandoned, condemned, and foreclosed properties. Its ultimate goal is to reverse the trend of declining property values and further deterioration of Chautauqua County’s housing and commercial stock by stabilizing neighborhoods, encouraging private investment, and improving the quality of life for citizens throughout the County. For more information, visit CHQLandBank.org. 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.

New Marketing Effort to Focus on County's Beverage and Ecotourism DestinationsCHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, NY -- There’s a new Chautauqua County marketing effort launching this week, focusing on the county’s craft beverage and wine producers, with an additional focus on ecotourism opportunities. The “Chautauqua County Grape & Grain Trail” is a collaboration between the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) and the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (CCVB). It is designed to showcase the various wineries, craft breweries, and craft distilleries located within the county, along with its numerous outdoor activities and nature attractions that welcome visitors to the area. “We want to brand Chautauqua County as a destination for not only wine enthusiasts, but also for those who enjoy beer and distilled spirits, while also distinguishing the county from other wine and craft beverage-producing destinations by highlighting the county’s abundant trail networks, waterways, other natural public spaces for recreation, and the amenities that support ecotourism,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and Co-chair of the CCPEG Advisory Board.  The campaign landing page is available at TourChautauqua.com/field-to-glass and lists the various businesses that produce and serve wine, craft beer, and spirits. It will also provide links to pages on the CCVB website so visitors can explore ecotourism friendly adventures in Chautauqua County. Those who visit the website will then be able to use the information to help plan their trip to the county and any of the listed destinations. The Grape & Grain Trail will be promoted on various social media channels, including Instagram, Meta, and Snapchat. “This marketing initiative is an important collaborative effort,” said Andrew Nixon, CCVB director. “The campaign is designed to drive additional visitation to our county’s wineries, breweries, and distilleries, while also working to extend visitor stays and increase visitor spending throughout the region. Through CCPEG, several organizations and businesses have been able to secure the funding necessary to bring this initiative to fruition.” “This campaign creatively aims to showcase the natural beauty of Chautauqua County while highlighting the region's vibrant craft beverage producers, including local wine and spirits,” said Kristy Kathman, CCPEG economic development specialist. “Our goal is to celebrate the picturesque landscapes, various ecotourism destinations, and rich flavors of local brews, wines, and spirits, making Chautauqua County a destination for nature and craft beverage enthusiasts alike.” The Grape & Grain Trail campaign was developed by Paperkite, a marketing firm from Cooperstown, selected by CCPEG following an RFP process that generated interest from more than a dozen different agencies. During the first half of 2024, Paperkite developed a campaign that is unique to Chautauqua County, based on research, interviews, and visits with the businesses and locations connected to the effort. This project is being supported by a Market New York grant from Empire State Development and I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Matching funds for the project are being provided by the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation. 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.

Project value in 2023 totaling $842 million makes Chautauqua County no. 1 in regionMark Geise, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency CEO, led the agency to unprecedented activity in 2023, resulting in $842 million in total project value, first among all economic development agencies in Western New York. JAMESTOWN, NY -- The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) was the top ranking economic development agency in Western New York State for 2023. That’s according to Buffalo Business First, which provided a list of the region’s top economic development agencies in its July 12, 2024 issue. According to Business First, it’s the first time the CCIDA has landed in the No. 1 spot (out of seven) on the publication’s ranking of the economic development agencies in Buffalo and Western New York. At the end of 2023, the CCIDA reported a total of $842 million worth of deals brokered. Not only was it the largest total of any agency in Western New York, but also the largest single-year total ever reported by CCIDA in its 51 years of operation. In addition, the CCIDA was involved with 34 different projects in 2023, more than any other economic development agency operating out of the Western New York region.    “2023 was unprecedented in terms of the breadth and size of projects assisted by the CCIDA, as well as job retention and creation,” said Mark Geise, Deputy Chautauqua County Executive for Economic Development and Chief Executive Officer of the CCIDA. “It is my opinion that our economic development team, which includes the County Department of Planning & Development, the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, and community partners, is unparalleled not just in Western New York, but across New York State. I am grateful that Buffalo Business First has recognized the CCIDA in this fashion, and I’m grateful to our staff, board, consultants, and other partners for everything they do.” As first reported in January in its 2023 Annual Report, some of the key projects the CCIDA assisted included: $452 million Cummins Engine Internal Expansion; $250 million Wells Ice Cream Plant Expansion; Weber Knapp Purchase by Local Ownership ($21.4 million); Purchase and Development of lithium-ion Battery Manufacturer Electrovaya ($42.5 million); and the acquisition of the Conagra/CCIDA Facility in Dunkirk by Refresco to create a Northeastern US Distribution Center ($13 million). In all, a total of 34 different projects benefited from support by the CCIDA. “I am thrilled with the work being undertaken by the CCIDA and the extended economic development team, which includes the Partnership for Economic Growth and the County Department of Planning & Development,” said Chautauqua County Executive Paul “PJ” Wendel. “I commend Mark Geise and the County/CCIDA team for their laser focus on Chautauqua County’s upward trajectory.  As I’ve said many times since the pandemic hit us, our comeback will be greater than our setback, and the CCIDA’s 2023 tally of accomplishments has proven this sentiment to be true. This is truly an amazing achievement, considering the population of Chautauqua County compared to our larger neighbors.” The CCIDA’s top-ranking dollar amount is a 59% increase from the $500 million reported in 2022, when it ranked second on the Business First list. The other top five Western New York economic development agencies in 2023 were Invest Buffalo Niagara, Erie County IDA, Genesee County Economic Development Center, and County of Cattaraugus IDA. “Once again, our collective development team was able to knock it out of the park, which is due to the unwavering dedication of an extremely capable staff, volunteer board members, community stakeholders, and volunteers. I vow that we will continue to be aggressive and intentional as we advance the ball as it relates to economic development, thereby creating and retaining good jobs for families throughout the County,” Geise said. 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.

$65,000 Awarded to CCPEG to Fund Improvements along Fred J. Cusimano Westside Overland TrailLocal Foundations are Committed to Overland Trail Improvements CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, NY - The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) has been awarded $65,000 from local foundations to make improvements to the Fred J. Cusimano Westside Overland Trail in Brokenstraw and Panama State Forests. The funding will also help with trail improvements on sections of private properties south of Titus Road in Sherman. The latest improvements are part of Phase IV of the Chautauqua County Overland Trails Revitalization Project.  The Fred J. Cusimano Westside Overland Trail is a 24 mile-long nature trail spanning four towns and six state forests – all within Chautauqua County. Located near Mayville, Sherman, and Panama, this scenic trail is well used and is one of the most challenging hikes and/or mountain biking trails in western New York.  The foundations that helped CCPEG reach its Phase IV fundraising goal include the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, the Jesse Smith Darrah Fund, the Lenna Foundation, and the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation. To secure these grants, CCPEG collaborated with the Chautauqua County Parks Department, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and private landowners to plan and organize the best approach for Phase IV of the project. In addition, CCPEG allocated $15,000 to help leverage funding for the project. “Phase IV represents the first instance where we will be working with private landowners to improve sections of the Overland Trail that run through their properties,” explained Jacob Bodway, CCPEG Trail Coordinator. “I can’t express how lucky we are to have our local foundations believe in this project and how indebted we are to have private landowners who understand that the Overland Trails are an important recreational asset to everyone who loves exploring the county’s beautiful forests and countryside.” Like the previous phases, the trail upgrades for Phase IV will be completed by Trail Construction Associates, a trail building company located in Forestville, NY. Work will begin by the end of July and should finish by late September. “I am thrilled to see all of the work that is being undertaken on our county’s extensive trail system,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and Co-Chair of the CCPEG Advisory Board. “Maintaining our existing trails was one of the top ten recommendations put forth in the Chautauqua County Greenways Plan we developed back in April of 2012. Trails are one of the key assets we are promoting in our recently-unveiled branding campaign, and is the basis of the trails mapping initiative we rolled out last month. That being said, it is essential that we have a good product for our residents and visitors to experience. Thank you to everyone that is involved in keeping this initiative moving forward.” The Chautauqua County Overland Trails would not be possible without the support and cooperation of the Chautauqua County Parks Department, Chautauqua County Department of Planning & Development, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and local landowners. 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.

Evening will also serve as a Salute to Chautauqua County’s First RespondersJAMESTOWN, NY: -- Live CHQ, Chautauqua County’s talent attraction and retention initiative, will be presenting a “Community Buyout Night” for the Jamestown Tarp Skunks’ July 11, 2024 home game against the Geneva Red Wings, beginning at 6:30 p.m. All tickets for that night’s game will be free to the public courtesy of Live CHQ and its two affiliate agencies, the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) and the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG). The theme for this special night is “A Salute to Chautauqua County’s First Responders,” honoring past and present members of the county’s EMS, Fire, and Police agencies. “Rewarding the community, and especially first responders and their families, with complementary tickets is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the men and women who work tirelessly to keep us safe,” said Mark Geise, Chautauqua County Deputy County Executive of Economic Development, and CCIDA CEO. “It also serves to remind residents and businesses about Live CHQ, our talent attraction and retention initiative, which highlights all the benefits of living and working in Chautauqua County.” “CCIDA and CCPEG, along with the Live CHQ initiative, has been working with us to find a way to salute and thank our county’s first responders and what better way to do that than to give them the opportunity to enjoy community baseball, free of charge!” said Christian Dolce, Tarp Skunks General Manager and Director of Business and Sales operations. “Not only will we be waiving admission fees for all attendees that evening, but we’ll also have a number of special events and activities planned to help honor and support first responders, especially our county’s numerous volunteer fire departments.” Pregame festivities will begin at 5 p.m. and include a “touch a truck” event with various first responder vehicles on hand; a meet and greet with Whiffy, the Tarp Skunks mascot and characters from Paw Patrol, provided by Chautauqua Safety Village; and volunteer fire department information and sign-up stations. There will also be a 50/50 drawing to support volunteer fire fighters, prizes and giveaways from LiveCHQ, and a special first pitch ceremony honoring all first responders in attendance. Representatives from CCIDA and CCPEG will also be on hand to share details and answer questions about the Live CHQ campaign and the Choose CHQ branding initiative, which works highlight all the economic development efforts, projects, and initiatives overseen by CCIDA and its affiliate agencies. Free tickets are available at Russell E. Diethrick Park the night of the game. Volunteer firefighters, local law enforcement, and EMS workers can also pick up tickets at their designated stations, with limited tickets also available at both CCIDA offices in Jamestown and Dunkirk. Any first responder group that would like tickets can also call the Tarp Skunks direction at 716-705-5600. Additional information about the Jamestown Tarp Skunks and the team’s 2024 season, along with a printable schedule, can be found at TarpSkunks.com. About Live CHQ – Live CHQ is a joint marketing campaign launched by the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency and the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth in 2024 to assist with talent attraction and retention efforts across Chautauqua County, NY. The overall goal of the campaign is to help raise awareness of Chautauqua County as a viable place for individuals and families to live by speaking to the sensibilities, desires, and expectations of people who are considering the county as their primary residence. For more information visit www.LiveCHQ.com.

Mobile Application Also Provides Several Maps for ‘Real Time’ UseCHAUTAUQUA COUNTY, NY: -- There’s a new resource available for people who want to hike, ride, or even paddle hundreds of miles of trails in Chautauqua County. The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG), in collaboration with Chautauqua County Government and the Friends of Chautauqua County Greenways (FCCG) group, is pleased to announce the release of the new Chautauqua County Interactive Trails Map and accompanying mobile application. The new interactive map, along with links to individual maps and also a mobile application, can all be found at CHQTrails.org. According to Jacob Bodway, CCPEG Trail Coordinator, the need for an interactive trail map covering all of Chautauqua County is the result of an increased interest in the various trails found across the area, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. “As we witnessed more trail users exploring our trails, many for the first time, we also heard a renewed interest in a trail map that would provide information for trail users of varied experience and ability,” Bodway said. “I think that the new countywide trail map does that and more.” This interactive online map allows trail users to explore the hundreds of miles of trails throughout the county. They can select and view trails that fall into specific activities, like hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and kayaking. Users will also be able to select trails based on land-owner, like those found in state forested land, or those associated with a specific organization or community. It also features images of trail heads and provides information on trail surfaces, trail length, and parking. “It’s the perfect ‘one-stop-shop’ for trail users who want to spend a weekend or longer exploring the trails in the county,” Bodway explained. “The map really is a game changer and will give users all of the information that they need to make an itinerary for their next outdoor adventure in Chautauqua County.” The mobile application can be downloaded from Avenza, the top-rated app used for hiking and biking, even in the most remote areas of the world. Using GPS technology, Avenza is useful for when trail users are on the trail and want to see their location in real time, regardless of cell reception. Several trail maps have been added to Avenza – including Boutwell Hill, Harris Hill, and North Harmony State Forests; Long Point State Park; Audubon Community Nature Center; and Cassadaga Lakes – along with others. These county maps will also be available on other third-party apps, such as Trailforks, All Trails, and MTB Project. PDF versions of individual trail maps can also be viewed, downloaded and also printed from the website for trail users who may not have the ability to use the mobile app. Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development CEO, and CCPEG Advisory Board Co-Chair, emphasized that the maps and mobile application all align to the County’s efforts to make Chautauqua County known as a mecca for outdoor recreation and active living.  “We have such incredible outdoor recreation assets, including more than 600 miles of recreational trails which we are actively working to improve,” said Geise. “These maps not only help our county market itself as a tourism destination for outdoor enthusiasts, but help our own residents discover all we have to offer.”  Funding for the trail project comes from generous support provided by The Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, and the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. CCPEG selected Barton & Loguidice and Adirondack Research to oversee the project, following an RFP process that saw 15 proposals come forward. After a year of collaboration, the interactive trail map and mobile application were unveiled at the most recent FCCG public meeting, held at the SUNY Fredonia College Lodge on June 12, 2024. “The countywide trails map is the culmination of what happens when trail user groups work together to achieve a common goal,” noted Bodway. “I couldn’t be more proud of the teamwork and cooperation that went into creating the countywide trail map, and I’m excited to see where we go from here.”  Plans are underway to provide a limited number of print copies of individual trail maps, and to also to remind trail users about the existence of the interactive map and mobile app with signage along the trails, in addition to other marketing efforts across the region. Meanwhile, the interactive map and additional details on where to find and install the mobile map application from Avenza can be found online at CHQTrails.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. About FCCG - Friends of the Chautauqua County Greenways (FCCG) is an organization housed under the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth and whose aim is to collaborate and build on existing private/public partnerships to realize the primary objectives outlined in Chautauqua County’s 2012 Greenway Plan and updated in the 2022 Chautauqua County Greenways Group Action Plan. FCCG's mission is to create a new enthusiasm for active living and healthy lifestyles for all people and of all backgrounds; promote accessible, safe, and sustainable recreation opportunities; sustainably conserve the ecological health, water quality, and scenic beauty of our region; improve our quality of life within Chautauqua County; act as a catalyst for economic development related to outdoor living, trail development, and trail maintenance in NYSDEC state forests, Chautauqua County parks, and waterways; and establish Chautauqua County as a destination center for outdoor adventure.

Loans will Assist with Business Purchase in Frewsburg, Loan Consolidation for Ellicott BusinessJAMESTOWN, N.Y.: --- At its June 25, 2024 meeting, the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) Board of Directors approved low-interest loans for two businesses totaling $714,316: Ivory Acres Weddings, LLC (Town of Carroll) and Gren Ventures, LLC (Town of Ellicott). Gren Ventures, LLC The CCIDA Board approved a $574,316 loan to Gren Ventures, doing business as Arthur R. Gren, Inc., located at 1886 Mason Drive. Arthur R. Gren Company was incorporated in 1954, serving Chautauqua County as a private company wholesale distributer of beer and non-alcohol products. The loan will be used to consolidate two existing loans dating back to 2013, when the company constructed a 22,875 square foot building for its recycling and warehousing center. At the time, Gren Ventures received an Al Tech Loan from the CCIDA for the project, along with a bank loan. Since the bank notified the Grens that they would not be renewing their loan, the Grens were forced to find other financing to fill this void. By consolidating the remaining balances from the CCIDA and bank loans, the CCIDA will move into a first lien position on the real-estate. The term of the loan is five years at 4% interest. “The Gren Ventures loan is a win-win-win for the community, the CCIDA, and the Grens,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and Chief Executive Officer of the CCIDA. “Through this consolidation, the jobs will be retained, the CCIDA will move into first position on the property assets, and the Gren’s will have lower monthly payments.” Ivory Acres Loan The loan approved for Ivory Acres was for $140,000 and will be used to assist Cole and Rachel Smith with purchasing the business from the current owners, John and Kelsey Volpe, along with undertaking renovations. Ivory Acres was opened in 2018 by the Volpes after purchasing an 18-acre dairy farm at 191 Ivory Street, Frewsburg a year earlier. Since 2018, it has operated as a successful wedding and event center, selling out each season. The Smiths plan to purchase the business and continue to offer the venue to customers from inside and outside of Chautauqua County. Future plans involve renovations to update the facility, with a future outlook of building small cabins on the site. Contingent on local bank financing, the CCIDA will assume a second lien position. The term of the CCIDA loan is 20 years at 4% interest for this $400,000 project. “We are pleased to support the transfer of ownership of Ivory Acres to the Smiths, ensuring it will continue to operate and serve the public as a beautiful and viable local wedding destination with potential for future development at the site,” Geise said. 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.

Chautauqua County Economic Development Coordinator/CCPEG Manager Recognized for County and Regional Economic Development EffortsNate Aldrich (left), Chautauqua County Economic Development Coordinator and Manager of the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, is the 2024 recipient of the James W. Griffin Rising Star Award, presented by the New York State Economic Development Council. The award was presented to Aldrich by James Johnson (right), Executive Director of the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency and Past Board Chair of NYSEDC, during the 2024 NYSEDC Awards Banquet in Cooperstown, NY. COOPERSTOWN, NY: -- Nate Aldrich, Economic Development Coordinator for Chautauqua County and Manager of the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG), was the recipient of the 2024 James W. Griffin Rising Star Award, presented by the New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC). Aldrich was presented the award at the NYSEDC Annual Meeting Awards Banquet in Cooperstown on May 22, 2024. The Rising Star Award honors an individual, age 40 and under, who has made a significant contribution to the economic development profession in New York State, with consideration given to quality of service and impact on New York’s economy.  Innovation in their field and community service/volunteerism are also taken into consideration. Aldrich is a native of Chautauqua County and has held his position within county government while also serving as manager of CCPEG manager. In prior years, he also held a position as a planner for Chautauqua County. Since starting in his current role in 2019, Aldrich has been involved in a broad range of projects; however, his impact has been especially profound over the last several years as manager of CCPEG. This public/private partnership has worked to develop and assist a wide variety of economic development projects for the entire county and for individual communities, with a focus on placemaking, workforce development, housing development, talent attraction and retention, and infrastructure. According to Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CCIDA CEO, Aldrich is a key member of the team currently developing a $17 million, 150 acre shovel-ready site in Ripley, much of which is being funded through external sources he’s been able to secure. “The CCPEG team has expanded in the past several years, due to the large number of initiatives it is working on and the funding it has been able to secure to undertake these projects. The impact of these initiatives has increased year-over-year, and this has been in large part due to Nate’s leadership,” Geise said, adding, “This was reflected in October 2023, when CCPEG received the Economic Developer of the Year award by the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce. My endorsement of Nate for this award was a no-brainer.” In 2023 alone, CCPEG leveraged more than $28 million in grant funding to assist with various development efforts, secured $1.2 million in grants, assisted 47 individual projects, allocated approximately $460,000 to partners, and engaged with 65 partner agencies. Aldrich’s other recent highlights include providing technical assistance to the City of Dunkirk, which applied for and received the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award, and he was a leading contributor to the Live CHQ/Choose CHQ talent attraction and retention campaign for Chautauqua County. Aldrich received his Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning, and was chosen by the faculty at UB to receive the American Institute of Certified Planners 2016 Planning Excellence Award from the American Planning Association, in recognition of outstanding achievement in the study of urban planning. He’s received numerous other awards and honors while at UB, including the Michael J. Krasner Memorial Scholarship, the Western New York Prosperity Fellowship, the R. Buckminster Fuller Award, and the Public Service Award. Also, in 2020, Aldrich was named to Buffalo Business First’s “30 Under 30” list, which recognizes early career achievements, leadership and initiative, and community engagement of 30 individuals under the age of 30 in Western New York. Aldrich serves on the Brooks-TLC Hospital Board of Trustees, manages the Chadwick Bay Regional Commission, and serves on the Board of the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau. He is also a member of the City of Dunkirk Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Local Planning Committee and the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation Local Economic Development Committee. “Nate’s been an invaluable asset to economic development efforts in not only Chautauqua County, but also Western New York and New York State, since joining our team,” Geise said. “His energy and enthusiasm is contagious and has helped to make our region a better place to work and live. I think it’s safe to say that when it comes to Nate and his impact on Chautauqua County and Western New York, the best is yet to come! He truly is a ‘Rising Star’ and more than worthy of this recent award.” In accepting the award, Aldrich acknowledged the mentors who’ve helped him along the way, including both Geise and Richard Dixon, CCIDA CFO. He also credited the entire Chautauqua County Economic Development team, adding that any success attributed to him is really a group effort. “It’s really just a case of being in the right place at the right time,” Aldrich said. “Not only do we have a capable team, but they all put a lot of heart and effort into doing what they all do and I’m really just proud of that.” 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.

Boutique Resort in Silver Creek Serves as a Lakefront Beach Resort, Restaurant, and Event VenueImage Caption: Several local and state officials gathered on the shores of Lake Erie in Silver Creek Tuesday afternoon to join with the owners of Hideaway Bay Resort - Kevin Cullen (holding scissors), Christian Cullen, and Gene Tundo (both to the immediate left of Kevin Cullen) - to cut the ribbon and officially open the business to the public. SILVER CREEK, N.Y.: --- There’s a new destination on Lake Erie, offering visitors and residents alike the opportunity to experience a one-of-a-kind stay featuring sandy shores and breathtaking sunsets. View Ribbon Cutting Photo Stream Local and state officials gathered in Silver Creek on Tuesday, June 11, to help cut the ribbon for Hideaway Bay Resort, a four-season, eco-friendly resort located on 3.6 acres of secluded lakefront property just to the east of the Walnut Creek outlet on Lake Erie. The event was co-hosted by the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) and the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce. WATCH THE RIBBON CUTTING EVENT Hideaway Bay Resort is the culmination of a $2 million redevelopment project made possible by an ownership team represented by Kevin and Christian Cullen of Adventure Sports Development and Mathew and Gene Tundo of Tundo Construction. In 2021, the group formed 42 Lake Erie, LLC to develop the project. The resort provides high-end boutique resort and recreation opportunities, featuring ten new waterfront cottages (each 360 sq. ft.) and a 4,080 square-foot, two-story restaurant and banquet space designed to host events, including weddings, banquets, and retreats – with upper and lower patios and indoor/outdoor full service bars. The restaurant, called “Drift”, will be open to the public seven days a week and can also be rented for private events and parties. Watersports operations will also be provided on site, including paddle boarding, kite boarding, and a natural kayak launch. The resort will also feature a hot tub, sauna, and spa service as well as walking trails, a fire pit, in-house fishing guides, and educational birding events. Hideaway Bay also presents itself as being eco-friendly, inside and out. This includes a dune restoration project, complete with native plants and a rain garden. Each cottage will have eco-friendly sheets and bath products and the owners are working to make Hideaway Bay the first destination anywhere on the Great Lakes to be certified as “eco-friendly” by the Surfrider Foundation. “We are excited to showcase the area’s natural beauty and leverage its recreational attributes to draw visitors and sports enthusiasts to the area,” said Kevin Cullen. “There really is something for everyone to do in this region and we are going to celebrate the variety of activities that are available here in Chautauqua County.” “It’s also personally important for us to live in harmony with nature, as opposed to just extracting from it,” added Christian Cullen. “That’s why having an eco-friendly focus is so important to us, in addition to providing a space that people of all ages will enjoy when they come here to stay or to simply attend an event.” “This latest attraction on the shores of Lake Erie will help to make Silver Creek a year-round destination for visitors from throughout the region,” said Paul “PJ” Wendel, Chautauqua County Executive. “Congratulations to the Hideaway Bay team for all the hard work and dedication they put forward to help make this development effort come to life.” The opening of the resort is the culmination of years of planning and development. Formerly the site of the regionally well-known Hideaway Bay Restaurant, the property went into foreclosure and later was destroyed by arson. The vacant land had been actively marketed for development by the Chautauqua County Land Bank for many years, leading up to an RFP process with 42 Lake Erie, LLC selected as developer. After securing the necessary funding for the project, a groundbreaking ceremony took place in June 2023. A year later, the resort is now open and ready for business. “The resort is a terrific new development that connects the community and the Local Waterfront Redevelopment Plan very well,” said Gina Paradis, Chautauqua County Land Bank Executive Director. “We were happy to facilitate the process of identifying the best new development for the site and are extremely excited to see it is now open and ready to serve the public.” “Seeing this project completed has been a long-term goal of mine, going back to the days when I served on the Chautauqua County Legislature and later as County Executive,” said Sen. George Borrello, who attended the 2023 groundbreaking but was unable to attend the ribbon cutting in person and instead made a prepared statement. “As a Hanover resident and a local business owner, it’s exciting to welcome a world-class resort like Hideaway Bay to our community. It will be a wonderful addition to our Lake Erie businesses and contribute to our reputation as a desirable vacation destination. We wish them great success!” “We’re extremely grateful to the Cullen family and the Tundo family for making this long-term investment in our community,” added Jeffrey Hornburg, Mayor of Silver Creek. “The Hideaway Bay Resort will fit nicely within the lakefront area and is going to help put Silver Creek on the map as a must-visit Western New York destination. We look forward to the positive impact it will have on our village in the many years to come.” Funding for the project came from a variety of public and private sources, including CCIDA, which authorized tax abatements and exemptions for the project in 2021 and a 15-year PILOT agreement totaling $191,285 for the involved taxing jurisdictions, along with a $491,210 low-interest loan. CCIDA also provided extensive project coordination and technical expertise. The project also received a $434,000 low interest loan from New York State’s Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) program, funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. A total of 30 temporary construction jobs benefited from the project and 16-plus new jobs created, once fully open. “This is yet another project that illustrates how we can make positive change to our region and the local economy when we all pitch in and work together,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CCIDA CEO. “Chautauqua County, the Village of Silver Creek, Land Bank, CCIDA, and the JCC Small Business Development Center all provided expertise, working collaboratively and diligently for several years to attract this exciting new tourism and event venue to Silver Creek and to help it cross the finish line. Thank you to everyone involved with this project for helping to make it a reality.” For more information on the Hideaway Bay Resort, visit HideawayBayResortNY.com, call (716) 401-5762, or find it on Facebook. 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. Hideaway Bay resort features ten waterfront cottages (each 360 sq. ft.) and a 4,080 square-foot, two-story restaurant and banquet space designed to host events, including weddings, banquets, and retreats.  

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.

Latest Action helps Bring new Downtown Business One Step Closer to Finish LineJAMESTOWN, NY: — At its April 23, 2024 meeting, the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) Board of Directors approved incentives for Wicked Jimmy’s LLC, to support the purchase and renovation of property at 115-121 West 3rd Street in Jamestown, the site of the former Jamestown Brewing Company. The incentives include exemptions from mortgage recording taxes, sales and use taxes, and property taxes.  Earlier this year in January, the board also approved $950,000 low-interest loan for the project. Once open, Wicked Jimmy’s will be the LLC operating the business as Wicked Warren’s. It will be operated by Robert Roth, who is also majority owner of the initial Wicked Warren’s, already in operation in Warren, Pa. Roth will serve as president of the Jamestown operation and has 27 years of experience running his own business. A total of 26 positions will be created once fully open. The project would also result in 15 temporary construction jobs. “We’ve done considerable planning and are looking forward to getting this business up and running as soon as possible,” Roth said in January, when the CCIDA board approved the initial loan for the project. “Once open and operational, Wicked Jimmy’s will brew craft beer, serve food, and host corporate meetings and ball room events. It will also provide live music, feature a ‘Speak Easy Room,’ and in the future open a roof top bar. Our goal is to make 119 West 3rd St, Jamestown’s premier entertainment destination.” “The property is at a prime location for this type of operation, in close proximity to the National Comedy Center, Northwest Arena, and other downtown Jamestown attractions. The former Jamestown Brewing Company, which was located in the facility, steadily grew its customer base until the onset of the COVID pandemic. We are confident that Wicked Warren’s will do the same, based on what they’re doing in Warren, and bring new life to Downtown Jamestown,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and Chief Executive Officer of the CCIDA. “We’re excited to see new life come into this property after being vacant for nearly four years,” said Jamestown Mayor Kimberly Ecklund in January. “Having a craft brewery, restaurant, and banquet facility located in the core of downtown Jamestown will help to boost both visitor and local foot traffic, while also providing additional job opportunities for our local residents.” The total estimated cost of the project would be $2.35 million. The financial assistance provided by the CCIDA will be up to $63,124 in sales tax exemptions, up to $23,250 in mortgage tax exemptions, and $156,670 in property tax exemptions over ten years, with $446,820 in total PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) being paid to the affected tax jurisdictions during that same time period. 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.

New Website and Advertising Effort to Focus on Talent Attraction and Retention in Chautauqua CountyJAMESTOWN, NY: -- The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG), along with the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA), is announcing the launch of a new, multi-year marketing campaign. The effort, called Live CHQ, will focus on talent attraction and retention by highlighting quality of life aspects and career opportunities available in Chautauqua County.  “Live CHQ is primarily intended to market our county to people living outside of our county in order to attract new and professionally talented residents by focusing on the best our county has to offer – including affordability, job opportunities, our cultural and entertainment attractions, and a wide variety of outdoor recreation options,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CCIDA CEO. “As part of the talent retention effort, we will also remind current residents of the benefits of living in Chautauqua County.” WATCH THE APRIL 16 PRESENTATION The campaign is modeled after a similar talent attraction and retention marketing effort in Buffalo, known as the Be in Buffalo campaign. That effort was spearheaded by Invest Buffalo Niagara, which also provided assistance with initial planning of the Live CHQ campaign. A major component of Live CHQ is a new website – LiveCHQ.org - that will inform the public about the various quality of life aspects the county has to offer, along with employment resources and business development opportunities found across the county. The campaign is also intended to assist local companies, businesses, and nonprofits across all sectors by helping to inform their prospective employees about what the county has to offer. “Many of our local businesses and nonprofits need more skilled, talented, and experienced employees to fill vacant jobs. But it can also be challenging to recruit individuals to fill those positions, due to a high demand for skilled workers, compared to the number of candidates currently living in our county. We are encouraging the business community to use the website to assist with their recruitment efforts, especially for talent located outside of the area who may be unfamiliar with what Chautauqua County has to offer,” explained Nate Aldrich, Chautauqua County Economic Development Coordinator and CCPEG Manager. CCIDA and CCPEG contracted with Buffalo-based Block Club to develop the Live CHQ campaign following an RFP process in late 2022. Throughout 2023, Block Club then worked to develop Live CHQ by visiting the county and meeting with key stakeholders during the “discover phase” of the campaign, to determine its focus – young families, active adults, and professionals with a passion for outdoor recreation and cultural/community experiences who currently reside outside of Chautauqua County. Current county residents are a secondary target audience. Block Club also designed a “choose your adventure” theme, incorporating “CHQ” into the messaging of each ad. The company also designed specific digital ad assets for the campaign, along with a promotional video advertisement. The website was designed by Clevermethod, also based in Buffalo. In addition to designing LiveCHQ.org, Clevermethod also developed ChooseCHQ.com, the new website for CCIDA and CCPEG, along with the other affiliation agencies – the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) and the Chautauqua County Capital Resource Corporation (CRC). Funding for the Live CHQ campaign was derived from American Rescue Plan Act funding provided to CCPEG by Chautauqua County, a multi-year grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, and from the CCIDA’s general marketing budget. Assistance in developing the campaign was also provided by Chautauqua County Government and the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, along with a variety of organizations and attractions found across Chautauqua County. “We want to emphasize that this is not a panacea that will suddenly reverse decades of population decline experienced in our county and across the Western New York region. Our hope is that it will be a valuable tool that, when combined with other efforts, will help to move the population needle in a positive direction,” explained Geise. “The launch of Live CHQ is the culmination of a year’s worth of planning and development, and we’re excited to see it rolled out and implemented.” Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel said he is encouraged on what this new rollout program can and will do. “‘Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.' That’s my new motto as we move forward,” Wendel said, quoting Colin Powell. More information about the Live CHQ marketing campaign will be announced in the coming weeks. # # # About Live CHQ – Live CHQ is a joint marketing campaign launched by the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency and the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth in 2024 to assist with talent attraction and retention efforts across Chautauqua County, NY. The overall goal of the campaign is to help raise awareness of Chautauqua County as a viable place for individuals and families to live by speaking to the sensibilities, desires, and expectations of people who are considering the county as their primary residence. For more information visit www.LiveCHQ.com.

Silver Creek Apartments Project will Remove Derelict School Building, Construct New Housing UnitsSILVER CREEK, NY: — At its February 27, 2024 meeting, the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) Board of Directors approved incentives to Silver Creek Apartments, LLC. The incentives, which include a Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement along with exemptions for both sales and mortgage tax payments, will assist the company with a multi-million dollar project to remove and redevelop the abandoned, former Silver Creek High School building at 60 Main St. in the village of Silver Creek and Town of Hanover. The building has sat vacant for more than 40 years and while several attempts to renovate it have been made during that time, those efforts were unsuccessful. In October 2023, representatives from Southern Tier Environments for Living, Inc. (STEL) and Park Grove Development, LLC appeared before the CCIDA board to provide initial details of the new Silver Creek Apartments project. Under those plans, the developers would demolish the long-abandoned, three-story school building (57,070 square feet) and replace it with a three-story, 50,574 square-foot apartment building. “The abandoned school really does send the wrong impression of what Silver Creek is,” said Allen Handelman, Vice President of Park Grove Development. “So this project goes a long way towards both providing affordable housing for members of the community, but also sending a message for the people that live in Silver Creek and people that visit there that this is a growing community that is poised to reach its full potential.” The demolition would include long-needed environmental remediation, including the removal and disposal of hazards including asbestos, PCBs, and lead paint. Once constructed, the new apartment building would provide 54 safe and affordable apartments for seniors age 62 and up, with 15 units set aside for supportive housing. Of those units, 51 would be one-bedroom apartments, and three would be two-bedroom apartments. Within the building there would also be a community room, fitness room, laundry facilities and an onsite property management office.  The facility would also include a large parking lot for up to 70 vehicles, along with a patio and shed. The project would provide 180 construction jobs and, once complete, 4.75 full-time equivalent jobs. The total cost would be $20,155,262, with the project also receiving $1 million in assistance from the village’s Restore NY award. Developers have also applied for additional financial support from New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) in the form of housing credits and are awaiting notification on whether or not they will receive those credits. “We are applying for funding from HCR and it’s a very competitive process. When it comes to scoring projects, the benefits that the IDA has the ability to provide will keep our development budget competitive and viable, when compared to other projects coming in from across the state. So a competitive PILOT from CCIDA is critical in terms of scoring and increasing our chances of receiving additional state funding,” said Ashley Switzer, STEL Project Manager. In December 2023, the CCIDA held a public hearing on the project and its related financial assistance, with Silver Creek Mayor Jeff Hornburg speaking in favor of the project. A letter of support was also provided by Louis Pelletter, Silver Creek Village Historian and newly elected Hanover Supervisor. No opposition to the project was expressed. “As we all know, the old Silver Creek High School has been abandoned and vacant for many decades. There have been several attempts over the years to renovate and preserve the building – including as recently as 2022, but it never worked out,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and Chief Executive Officer of the CCIDA. “Now we’re looking at a project that involves the demolition of the old school building, and developing a brand new facility. I couldn’t be more thrilled about it. If we can make this work it will fulfill a need in the community, while removing an unsightly and dangerous influence in the community.” “The village is excited to see another effort involving the former school building moving forward,” said Mayor Hornburg. “Due to the limited availability of housing units in our community, many of our local seniors have had to leave the area in order to find adequate housing and services. This project will not only help to remove an eye-sore in the heart of our village but also finally offer additional modern housing for our older population.” “We are very happy to see STEL and Park Grove Development come back to the table with this new plan. That building has sat vacant for many years, in spite of efforts to do something with it. We never gave up hope on that site and now new development is looking more and more like a reality,” said Paul “PJ” Wendel, Chautauqua County Executive. “This is an effort I’ve championed for more than a decade. Even as previous efforts fell through, I never gave up on the potential of this project and have remained engaged in the efforts to bring it to fruition,” said State Senator George Borrello, who previously served as Chautauqua County Executive and also as a representative of Silver Creek and Hanover in the Chautauqua County Legislature. “The affordable senior housing that is planned represents the culmination of a long-held vision and is a huge ‘win’ for our seniors, the Silver Creek community and Chautauqua County. My thanks go out to all the public and private sector partners who played a role in this great outcome.” The CCIDA-approved PILOT agreement is for 30 years and will result in payments to the Village of Silver Creek, Town of Hanover, Silver Creek Central School District, and Chautauqua County totaling $347,486. Silver Creek Apartments will also save up to $497,261 in sales tax and an additional $191,574 in mortgage recording tax. Construction on the project is expected to begin later in 2024. 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. They facilitate 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.

Wicked Warren’s to feature Craft Brewing, Restaurant, Banquet Facility and MoreJAMESTOWN, NY: — At its January 23, 2024 meeting, the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) Board of Directors approved a $950,000 low-interest loan to Wicked Jimmy’s LLC, to support the purchase of property at 115-121 West 3rd Street in Jamestown, the site of the former Jamestown Brewing Company. If the project comes to fruition, Wicked Jimmy’s will be the LLC operating the business as Wicked Warren’s. It will be operated by Robert Roth, who is also majority owner of the initial Wicked Warren’s, already in operation in Warren, Pa. Roth will serve as president of the Jamestown operation and has 27 years of experience running his own business. In addition, the proposed Jamestown business will include a vice president and head brewer with over 15 years of brewing experience, along with a front of house and banquet manager with 12 years of experience, both of whom currently work at the Wicked Warren’s location in Pennsylvania. “We’ve done considerable planning and are looking forward to getting this business up and running as soon as possible,” Roth said. “Once open and operational, Wicked Jimmy’s will brew craft beer, serve food, and host corporate meetings and ball room events. It will also provide live music, feature a ‘Speak Easy Room,’ and in the future open a roof top bar. Our goal is to make 119 West 3rd St, Jamestown’s premier entertainment destination.” “The property is at a prime location for this type of operation, in close proximity to the Comedy Center, Northwest Arena, and other downtown Jamestown attractions. The former Jamestown Brewing Company, which was located in the facility, steadily grew its customer base until the onset of the COVID pandemic. We are confident that Wicked Warren’s will do the same, based on what they’re doing in Warren, and bring new life to Downtown Jamestown,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and Chief Executive Officer of the CCIDA. “We’re excited to see new life come into this property after being vacant for nearly four years,” said Jamestown Mayor Kimberly Ecklund. “Having a craft brewery, restaurant, and banquet facility located in the core of downtown Jamestown will help to boost both visitor and local foot traffic, while also providing additional job opportunities for our local residents.” “It’s great to see the further expansion our beverage and service industry in Chautauqua County, especially by a team with a proven track record. Once open, the Wicked Warren’s Jamestown location will help to encourage both area residents and out of town visitors to come to the downtown,” said Chautauqua County Executive Paul “PJ” Wendel. The total estimated cost of the project would be $2.35 million and would result in the creation of 40 jobs. Terms of the CCIDA loan are $950,000 at 4.00% for 20 years, and is contingent on the company’s ability to secure additional funding for the project. The opening date is planned for March 2024. 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. They facilitate 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 www.CCIDA.com.

Empire State Development Grant Moves Shovel-Ready Site Project ForwardRIPLEY, NY: — A key development project along the I-90 corridor in Chautauqua County is one step closer to becoming a reality after being awarded a $5.25 million grant from Empire State Development (ESD). On Thursday, Nov. 2, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a grant award for the Interstate 90 site in the Town of Ripley as part of phase two of the state’s Focused Attraction of Shovel-Ready Tracts New York grant program. The Ripley site was one of six sites selected to receive a share of the nearly $90 million in funding. The grant is being awarded to County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA), which applied for the funding to keep progress on the Ripley Interstate 90 shovel-ready site moving forward. The state funding will allow for infrastructure improvements, including electric, gas, water, and sewer extensions, as well as creation of an access road. The project, which aims to attract light manufacturing and interstate distribution & logistics companies, consists of two phases to purchase multiple parcels and make requisite site improvements to transform 136 acres of underused land into a shovel-ready, infrastructure enabled site directly off of the I-90 interchange at Shortman Road. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $16 million. “We are overjoyed that the State recognizes not only the need for shovel-ready sites in the region, but also that this is a great location just off Interstate 90,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CCIDA Chief Executive Officer. “We have been working on this initiative for several years, and it is great to see it all coming together. The County and CCIDA have pledged their financial support for the project, and other sources of funding are being sought to meet the $16 Million price tag. Without large, shovel-ready sites, the county is missing out on opportunities for larger development projects, which this project addresses.” “Approval of this shovel-ready site is great news for not just the Town of Ripley, but also Chautauqua County and all of Western New York,” added Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel. “Developing a foundation for future projects, this is a continuation of our mission to maintain a strong gateway into our state and county. I’d like to recognize and thank the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency and Empire State Development for working to make this project possible.” “This is great news for the town of Ripley,” said Doug Bowen, Ripley Town Supervisor. “By having the state award this funding, it means the necessary infrastructure improvements can move forward to provide a shovel-ready site along the I-90 corridor. It will not only be a huge asset for our local economy here in Ripley, but also for the entire Chautauqua County region.” “This is great news for Ripley and all of Chautauqua County. Securing this $5.25 million FAST NY grant is a testament to the hard work and planning by the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency and the Town of Ripley. Creating this shovel-ready gateway along 1-90 in Ripley will pave the way for private investment and lead to future projects as we continue to revitalize our community. I want to thank Gov. Hochul and Empire State Development for recognizing the need to support communities in Western New York as they reinvent themselves and build a brighter future for everyone,” said State Senator George Borrello. In May of this year, the CCIDA Board approved the purchase of land in the first phase of the project, which entails acquiring four parcels of property totaling 64 acres for $2,892,000, based on an appraisal. The second phase will involve purchasing additional properties to bring the overall total land acquired to 136 acres.  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. They facilitate 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 www.CCIDA.com.

IDA Approves Incentives for Hideaway Bay ResortSILVER CREEK, N.Y.: — The new Hideaway Bay Resort high-end glamping and recreation resort is one step closer to development.  Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and Chief Executive Officer of the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA), announced the recent approval of incentives by the CCIDA Board of Directors at its July 27, 2021 meeting. The new resort will be situated on the 3.6-acre former Hideaway Bay Restaurant site on Lake Erie and Walnut Creek in the Village of Silver Creek.  The developers are using an active and healthy living design that showcases the natural beauty along with world-class recreation, fishing, and birdwatching opportunities. It will feature 10 waterfront cottages, a restaurant-bar and event space, and four seasons of diverse world-class active and passive recreation opportunities. The cottages, or “glamping units,” will have high-end décor, private patio space, and stunning waterfront views.  A new 2-story event space will be designed to host events such as weddings and retreats, with upper and lower patios, and an indoor/outdoor full-service bar.  Active and passive recreation opportunities will also be available on site.  The owners have been operating Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) for over 5 years, and will provide watersports such as paddleboarding and kite boarding along with an active recreation center with a natural kayak launch, in-house fishing guides, and educational birding events.  Hideaway Bay Resort will also book other off-site activities such as horseback riding, snowmobiling, skiing, kiteboarding, and more. A Western New York native and adventure sport enthusiast, Kevin Cullen and his wife Christian are two of the project owners and developers, residing in the Silver Creek area with their family.   Cullen said, “We are excited to showcase the area’s natural beauty and leverage its recreational attributes to draw visitors and sports enthusiasts to the area. There really is something for everyone to do in this region and we are going to celebrate the variety of activities that are available here.” CCIDA approved providing up front tax abatements for the $1.4 million development, including Sales Tax, Mortgage Recording Tax, and Payment in Lieu of Tax (PILOT) real property tax exemptions to incentivize the project.  The CCIDA also provided extensive project coordination and technical expertise.  Chautauqua County, the Village of Silver Creek, Town of Hanover, and Silver Creek Central School District will now each receive new additional real property tax revenue payments via the CCIDA PILOT.  Thirty construction jobs are projected plus thirty new jobs at the resort. Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel said, “I commend Mark Geise and the CCIDA team for their laser focus on Chautauqua County’s upward trajectory despite the recent pandemic.  Our comeback thus far has proven to be greater than our setback, and this new development is a notable step forward for our local economy.” “Chautauqua County, the Village of Silver Creek, Land Bank, CCIDA, and the JCC Small Business Development Center all provided expertise, working collaboratively and diligently for several years to attract this exciting new tourism and event venue to Silver Creek,” said Geise. Jeffrey Hornburg, Village of Silver Creek Mayor, is also looking forward to the site redevelopment and has been actively working with the project team for many months toward that end.  Hornburg said, “The Village of Silver Creek is excited to support the redevelopment of the Hideaway Bay property. It has been a pleasure meeting with Kevin Cullen, discussing his plans for the renovation of the property, and we feel this development will fit nicely within the lakefront area.  As Mayor, I stand ready and willing to assist Mr. Cullen and his organization in any way I can.” The Chautauqua County Lank Bank facilitated the property redevelopment plans and sale after it went into foreclosure, and additionally worked through the unexpected arson and demolition.  Gina Paradis, Chautauqua County Land Bank Executive Director, said, “This is a terrific new development that connects the community and the Local Waterfront Redevelopment Plan very well. We were happy to facilitate the process of identifying the best new development for the site.” Subject to remaining project approvals, construction is expected to begin this fall with the resort becoming operational in the spring of 2022.  The development team is proceeding as 42 Lake Erie LLC and Hideaway Bay Resort comprised primarily of partners Adventure Sports Development LLC, led by Cullen and Christian Edie, and Tundo Construction of Blasdell, owned by brothers Gene and Matt Tundo.  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. They facilitate 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 www.ccida.com.