The closed ConAgra facility in Fredonia is being sold to an investor from Erie County for warehousing purposes.

That’s according to Chautauqua County IDA Director Kevin Sanvidge, who discussed the facility at the recent IDA meeting. Plans include dividing the warehouse into smaller units while utilizing the production facility for light manufacturing.

“He’s paying a significant amount of money for the property,” Sanvidge said.

Still, Sanvidge is hopeful an investor will soon be purchasing the ConAgra facility on Talcott Street in Dunkirk that could create hundreds of jobs. Work between the investor and New York state on a tax incentive plan is in the final stages.

According to Sanvidge, the large grant they will receive is based on projected job growth achievement over the next three to five years. Approximately 300 jobs would return to a facility currently barren.

“It’s replacing almost all the jobs that ConAgra left a little over a year ago,” Sanvidge said. “It’s our hope that the project grows with 300 people coming back to Dunkirk and stimulating the economy.”

Though not in a position to discuss project specifics, food-processing operations will resume at the facility, according to Sanvidge. Ordering the equipment is the next line of business for the investor.

The IDA last fall issued a $2 million bond purchased by Chautauqua County, allowing the agency to control the building’s future. Completion of the purchase in February ensured manufacturing jobs would return to the city facility.

ConAgra bought the Dunkirk and Fredonia facilities in March 2013. A year later, the company announced they would be shutting down both plants. Over 400 jobs were cut.

In other news, a dairy plant project on Route 5 and County Route 76 in Ripley is progressing. However, providing electricity to the facility is necessary to supply the dairy plant, Sanvidge said. Supplying electricity to the facility will cost $2.5 million.

“National Grid has come to the table as well as New York state to help us on that project to offset that cost,” Sanvidge said.

Speaking with the investor, Sanvidge said the individual is ready to close as soon as the electric issues are resolved. The project would bring 75 to 100 jobs to Ripley.

An investor interested in developing the marina and property to the west in Dunkirk is in negotiations with the incumbent owner, according to Sanvidge. The investor’s three-year plan includes sportscraft retail, a restaurant and condominium development.

“This looks like it’s going to happen,” Sanvidge said. “I believe that the project will be a real start to get things moving (in Dunkirk) along with what we have going on at Talcott Street.”

Momentum is building when it comes to attracting business and economic development, Sanvidge said. A $90 million investment project is underway at Cummins Inc. Jamestown Engine Plant for an engine block line from Germany. Economic development continues with hotel development projects and work to bring a PGA Tour event back to Peek’n Peak. Sanvidge said the IDA is also organizing an agri-business summit in the fall for farmers to explore and grow business opportunities.

“What we’ve got going on is a lot of positive momentum,” Sanvidge said. “Good things are happening. People are starting to look to the future instead of backwards.”

Chautauqua County jobs took a hit over recent years, and none as hard as the ConAgra closures in Fredonia and Dunkirk.

Despite the county’s loss of 1,171 jobs between 2011-2013 and 700 jobs in 2014 – in large part due to ConAgra’s closure last year – investors are noticing opportunities in the area.