OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon Wicked Jimmy’s is expected to open this summer at the former Jamestown Brewing Company. On Tuesday, the county IDA OK’d tax incentives for the brewery.

JAMESTOWN– Chautauqua County is doing its part to help bring a new brewery to downtown Jamestown this summer.

On Tuesday, the county Industrial Development Agency approved tax 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. In January, the board also approved a $950,000 low-interest loan for the project.

During Tuesday’s IDA meeting, it was announced that the new owner, Robert Roth, is looking to start construction May 1 and would like to be open by July.

Roth currently owns and operates Wicked Warren in Warren, Pa. He said previously that he is looking forward to being able to operate in a larger market and be able to sell additional beverages that he can’t sell in Pennsylvania.

The IDA Board of Directors unanimously approved a 10-year Payment In Lieu Of Taxes agreement.

According to IDA officials, the total estimated cost of the project is $2.35 million. The financial assistance provided by the IDA 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 10 years, with $446,820 in total payments being paid to the affected tax jurisdictions during that same time period.

County IDA Director Mark Geise said this project is important to the city. “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,” he said.

Jamestown Mayor Kimberly Ecklund agrees. “We’re excited to see new life come into this property after being vacant for nearly four years,” she said. “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.”

A total of 26 positions will be created once fully open. The project is also expected to create 15 temporary construction jobs.