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Congrats to Economic Development Grant awardees

President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce & Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier

Several Chautauqua County projects will be funded through the next round of Regional Economic Development Council grant funds.

The $4.7 million awarded to 23 local projects will make a tremendous difference in our communities for a variety of projects, ranging from planning to infrastructure.

We commend the various organizations that took the time and made a strong effort to secure the funding.

The largest single award is $1.48 million for green renovations to Tracy Plaza at Jamestown’s City Hall. The leaking and outdated concrete plaza deck will be replaced with a green roof and rainfall collection system that will make the plaza more welcoming while also providing a natural water source for the fire department below and for maintaining the green space above.

Two separate awards totaling $834,000 will go to the National Comedy Center for physical construction of its Jamestown facility and for purchasing and installing two large digital screens and a hologram theater projection system. $354,000 will be used for improvements to Lucille Ball Memorial Park at Celoron, including a new breakwall, waterfront trail, and canoe launch.

$310,000 is earmarked for improvement at Barker Common in Fredonia. $242,000 is going to the Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation and Improvement Corporation for renovating commercial space and apartments in the Brocton business district.

The WNYREDC has also set aside $270,000 for the northern Chautauqua Regional water project, which is a joint effort among the towns of Portland, Pomfret, Dunkirk, Sheridan, and the village of Brocton. It is particularly heartening to see continuing funding for this project, which is vital for both economic growth and residential service in that region.

A number of other projects are included on the full list, which can be viewed online at http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

Since its inception, the New York State Regional Economic Development Council has been an effective mechanism for providing funding to support projects throughout Western New York. We are pleased to see this level of funding continued for important projects in our communities. Congratulations to all involved!

CHAMBER GIFT CHECKS MAKE A GREAT GIFT

Shopping locally is good for our economy and good for our friends, neighbors, and business climate.

One easy way to support local businesses is to purchase Shop-Tauqua Chamber Gift Checks from the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce. Available in increments of $10, $15, or $25, Chamber Gift Checks can be used just like any other check at a variety of local restaurants and retail outlets.

Advance orders are appreciated so we can have time to prepare your gift checks. Our offices are open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please call the Chamber at 484-1101 or 366-6200.

GIFT CHECK

PROGRAM FREE FOR MEMBERS

If you are a Chamber member business in a retail, restaurant, or service industry, you are now eligible to accept Shop-Tauqua Chamber Gift Checks absolutely free of charge.

In the past, we had to charge an annual administrative fee for all member businesses participating. Now, thanks to a major sponsorship from the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, we are able to offer this program free of charge to our members and provide an even greater return on your Chamber investment.

Accepting Shop-Tauqua Chamber Gift Checks is simple; they are deposited with your daily receipts like any other check. If your business is not currently participating and you would like to get involved, please contact the Chamber for more information at 484-1101 or 366-6200.

DOORS OPEN JAMESTOWN SET FOR NEXT MONTH

The very popular Doors Open Jamestown will be back again in 2017. The date has been set for Saturday, Jan. 21.

Doors Open is designed to give area residents a look into our local attractions, with free admission for the day to demonstrate the many tremendous tourism opportunities right here in our own backyard.

Sponsored by the Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce and the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, Doors Open has grown substantially since it first began.

Participating venues are Jamestown Audubon Nature Center, Roger Toy Peterson Institute, Robert H. Jackson Center, Northwest Arena, Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum & Center for Comedy, Fenton History Center, Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame, Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, James Prendergast Public Library, Infinity Performing Arts Center, Lucille Ball Little Theatre, Busti Grist Mill, and Lucille M. Wright Air Museum.

The hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for this free day at our local museums and attractions. Many of the participants will offer specials in their gift shops, and local businesses and restaurants will offer Doors Open specials, as well. Spend Jan. 21 discovering Jamestown!

CHAMBER/MAST OFFICES MOVE BACK TO MTI

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier have moved back into the Manufacturing Technology Institute at Jamestown Community College.

Chamber and MAST offices were temporarily located in the JCC Community Services center for the past 10 months while MTI was expanded and rebuilt to meet the objective of expanding manufacturing training programs.

Now, once again, we can be found at the corner of Falconer and James streets in Jamestown. Our Jamestown mailing address remains 512 Falconer St., Jamestown. In addition, our Jamestown phone number remains 484-1101.

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