ARTICLE
A highly anticipated announcement in Jamestown this past week is tremendous news for the entire region. A $10-million grant award under the new Downtown Revitalization Initiative will go a long way toward boosting business in Jamestown, the surrounding area and the region. The community was pleased to have Howard Zemsky, Empire State Development President and CEO, on hand to make the announcement. The grant funding is a product of good planning and collaboration. The grant process was competitive. Jamestown’s proposal emerged as the best in large part because of a variety of stakeholders working toward a common objective and because the planning component was inclusive and well prepared. Back in April, Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled plans to invest $100-million in ten communities statewide, one in each economic development region. The effort is designed as a coordinated multi-agency approach to community revitalization for housing, economic development, transportation, and community projects that will attract and retain residents, visitors, and businesses. The criteria focused on communities that have been experiencing population or economic decline. We applaud the work of the City of Jamestown, the Jamestown Renaissance Center, The Gebbie Foundation and many others who collaborated in building a plan and a strong application. We thank Governor Cuomo, Howard Zemsky and our team of elected officials including Mayor Sam Teresi, County Executive Vince Horrigan, Assemblyman Andy Goodell and Senator Cathy Young who did their part to bring this investment to Chautauqua County. This announcement comes at a time when exciting projects and initiatives are emerging throughout Chautauqua County such as Athenex in Dunkirk to the ongoing construction of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown. These projects and many more will attract further interest by private developers and create jobs. Our hope is that this extraordinary grant will help to encourage further growth in Jamestown and throughout the County.