Have IDA take on city’s development efforts
Have IDA take on city’s development efforts
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Since Vince DeJoy was hired as Dunkirk's Director of Planning and Development, the landscape of the city has changed greatly. One of DeJoy's greatest successes in the role was New York state's awarding of $10 million in funding for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
That money remains an important piece to the downtown puzzle, but Dunkirk is treading water. Due to years of poor financial planning and thievery, the government is on the brink.
DeJoy, the current administration and council had no part in putting the city on this path. But at the moment, things just do not seem to be getting better. That is a reality when cash is not flowing.
This week, DeJoy announced his resignation from the post he has held since 2021. He will take a position at a nonprofit in North Carolina.
“I want to thank Mayor Kate Wdowiasz for her leadership and support during this current fiscal crisis that Dunkirk has faced," he said in making the announcement. "The mayor has had to make some difficult and painful decisions that should have been made before she became mayor, and she has a strong vision for the right path for the future of Dunkirk, and I have enjoyed working with her."
Moving forward, the city's plan must be simple. Abolish its department and reach out to the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency to handle its projects.
Led by Mark Geise, the county staff is not only experienced but they also have strong ties to the city. If it was not for the IDA, the Americold project or the Wells expansion would not be happening.
We wish DeJoy well as he moves on. For the city, it is an opportunity. Aligning with the IDA makes tremendous sense. It has the ability and the resources to help with progress in the lakefront municipality.