OBSERVER Photo by MJ Stafford The White Inn in Fredonia has been reopened since the fall of 2024.

The remodeling of the White Inn in Fredonia has been celebrated by officials and community members alike.

But the project may not have happened without public funds.

During the recent Chautauqua County Legislature meeting, the county executed the final agreement for the Restore NY Grant that was used.

During a committee meeting the week before, Economic Development Coordinator Nate Aldrich was asked about how much public funds were used in total.

“A little shy of $2 million,” he replied.

Legislator Fred Johnson, R-Westfield, expressed some reservations.

“I’m always uncomfortable using public funds to help very wealthy people do things like that, as great and as wonderful as they may be,” he said.

Aldrich responded that had no public funds been used it wouldn’t have been feasible.

“We reviewed the project financials and the project was not financially feasible without this (NY Restore grant) and other incentives and grants,” he said.

When a ribbon cutting took place last month a news release from the county stated that assistance from the state and the county Industrial Development Agency stipulated that the project cost must equal or exceed $3.9 million, which did happen.

Legislator Fred Larson, D-Jamestown, stated that oftentimes local officials are quick to criticize the state about taxes, but noted this project as well as the upcoming Hotel Lenhart remodeling, which is also getting millions in grants, wouldn’t have happened without state assistance.

“Let’s just accept the fact that all this money comes from taxes, and you can’t have it both ways,” he said.

Hotel Lenhart, located in Bemus Point, has recently been purchased and is going through a major remodeling project. It’s expected to be open sometime next year.