While the grape harvest in northern Chautauqua County is underway, there is also extraordinary momentum for additional growth in the region. With improved services, new businesses, and expanded tourism opportunities, it’s a pleasure to watch the region growing in its own right.

Phase one of the Northern Chautauqua Water District is open for business, providing a reliable and safe water source for about 36,000 residents and many businesses from Dunkirk to Brocton. The project used some existing infrastructure, combined with new water mains, allowing the City of Dunkirk to supply water into areas that were previously not served or underserved. We commend former Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan for launching this important project and current Executive George Borrello for seeing it through. New York State played a key role in the $30-million project, providing funds through the Regional Economic Development Council. Water service is crucial, not just for residents, but also for businesses, especially Northern Chautauqua’s vital food processing plants.

The Water District project required the construction of seven miles worth of piping and a half-million gallon water storage tank in Brocton, as well as a pump station in Portland. Under a 40-year agreement with the City of Dunkirk, the new Water District will benefit the entire region for decades to come. In addition, phase two of the project calls for completing a water transmission system from Dunkirk to the Village of Silver Creek by the end of 2019.

This new water district is an example of collaboration at its finest. With input from the County as well as all municipalities involved, and important funding assistance from the state, this project is a model of regional cooperation that creates advantages for all involved. We were proud to help advocate for the Northern Chautauqua Water District and look forward to its expansion into the towns of Sheridan and Hanover in the near future. We strongly encourage adjacent local governments to consider participating in the water district to provide a continuous reliable source for water for years to come. We also urge other municipalities to view this project as an illustration of how regional cooperation is meaningful for governments and for the people they serve.

At the same time, the construction of the Athenex plant now underway in the Town of Dunkirk is making headway. That facility will add jobs and economic vitality to the community.

The city of Dunkirk has worked to improve Wright Park and its beautiful Lake Erie beach property creating more public access space on the waterfront, and also brought in the Great Lakes Offshore Grand Prix powerboat races, which drew large crowds. It’s safe to say that Northern Chautauqua is creating its own waves for the future.

Chamber Annual Awards Banquet is Oct. 11

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize a number of local leaders and business and community service during our Annual Awards Banquet on Oct. 11. This event is the largest gathering of business people in the county each year and will once again be held at the Williams Center on the SUNY Fredonia campus.

The Chamber’s annual Economic Development Award is being presented to Dunkirk Metal Products, a leading sheet metal fabricator and manufacturer of specialty metal products engineered to meet the demands of today’s industries. The Person of the Year Award will be presented to the Calimeri Family of Jamestown. The Calimeri family has been long been involved in the startup and operation of several businesses, have demonstrated a commitment to volunteerism and community engagement, and have generously contributed to the community.

Each of the six community Chambers of Commerce presents a Community Service Award during the Chamber Banquet. The Dunkirk Community Chamber has selected former Dunkirk Harbor Commission chair James T. Nichols to posthumously receive its award. The Fredonia Community Chamber chose Kurt Maytum, a long time firefighter, fire chief, and paramedic, for its Community Service Award. Laurie Bifaro has been selected to receive the Community Service Award from the Hanover Community Chamber. The Jamestown Community Chamber selected Bill Stevenson for his hands-on participation in with many organizations. The Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber has chosen SandraLee Wagner to receive its award for her dedication to establishing the Lakeside Bark Dog Run to fruition. The Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber is presenting its Community Service Award to the sister and brother team of Joan Mascaro Caruso and Rick Mascaro for their dedication to community through their work at several organizations including the Lake Shore Center for the Arts.

We hope you will join us in saluting all of these deserving award winners during the Chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet. For more information call the Chamber at 366-6200 or 484-1101 or find the event online at www.chautauquachamber.org/events.

NYSOH Individual Marketplace Open Enrollment Oct. 17

Sole proprietors and employees of member businesses without access to employer sponsored health insurance can access health insurance and obtain a determination for financial assistance through the New York State of Health Individual Marketplace. In keeping with our commitment to assist member businesses and their employees access health insurance, the Chamber’s licensed broker Kevin Sixbey is certified to work within the NYSOH Exchange for individuals. We will be hosting two sessions focusing on the NYSOH Individual Marketplace Open Enrollment for the upcoming year. Sessions will be Oct. 17 at 7:30 a.m., MTI Building at JCC in Jamestown and at 5:30 p.m. at the JCC North County Training Center in Dunkirk. These sessions are sponsored by AFLAC and are free to attend. For more information or to register, call the Chamber at 484-1101 or 366-6200.