OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Town of Arkwright Supervisor Brian McAvoy smiles during a discussion at a recent Board meeting.

ARKWRIGHT — Town Supervisor Brian McAvoy asked Town Clerk Jane Lindquist a unique question near the end of a recent meeting.

“Jane, you ever send a letter to the President before?”

After responding that she had not, McAvoy said, “Well, we’re gonna.”

The Town of Arkwright plans to voice its objection to the closure of Job Corps in Cassadaga in a letter addressed to President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Nick Langworthy.

“Chautauqua County is a mostly rural, blue-collar sort of region. Your campaign carried this county, despite us being a deeply blue state, in part, because our constituents want to see real economic prosperity with gainful employment as its cornerstone,” McAvoy wrote in his letter to President Trump. “Therefore, it is difficult to understand how cutting job-based training that can provide a chance for self-sufficiency, to people who otherwise might not get the chance, is in anybody’s best interest.”

The letter urges the federal government to continue to fund Job Corps because of its ability to connect employers with “well-trained, eager employees in our area.” McAvoy highlighted that Cassadaga Job Corps alumni hold approximately 100 jobs in the region.

“The training Job Corps offers is in high-demand fields. Please help them continue on their mission of producing productive, taxpaying individuals who contribute to the wellbeing of our society,” McAvoy wrote.

McAvoy also noted that of the 190 students currently at the Cassadaga facility, 15 are without a home to return to, and another 12 will likely need to withdraw from the joint enrollment college program.

“These kids left less than ideal situations to try to make something of themselves. Please help them achieve that and become part of the solution, not part of the problem,” McAvoy stated.

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that it is “pausing” Job Corps Center operations nationwide by June 30. The Cassadaga Job Corps Center, which opened in 1978, is one of 99 non-federally operated Job Corps centers.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the Job Corps program operated at a $140 million deficit in 2024. The deficit is projected to reach $213 million in 2025.

The Cassadaga Job Corps Center has a graduation rate of 39.53%, according to a Department of Labor official. The cost per graduate in Cassadaga is $123,654.22.

The Town Board approved sending the letter of support for Job Corps unanimously.

Also of note, there are no primaries scheduled for the town of Arkwright this year.

The Town is still pursuing certification as a Pro Housing Community New York State. The Town believes the certification would help with securing grant funds down the road.

A text message notification system through Slick Text is operational in the Town. Pertinent information, such as road closures or upcoming meetings and dates of significance, will be distributed to Town residents who enroll in the program by texting ARK to 844-548-1317.

The next meeting of the Town Board is set for Monday, July 14 at 6:30 p.m.