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The OBSERVER’s View

DUNKIRK: Expansion worth break from IDA

North county residents have to be impressed with the activity at Wells Enterprises. From miles away, you can see the signs of construction activity taking place at the manufacturer. Another phase of that major expansion was approved last week by the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency as part of a $175 million project. The expansion, which is considered Phase III, will help the company produce chocolate as an ingredient in ice cream production. It will create 20 new jobs, plus about 150 temporary construction jobs. According to the county IDA, when combined, all three ...

ECONOMY: Workforce efforts to get a new test

The Jamestown area got an early Christmas present last week with the announcement that the final piece of funding is in place for Electrovaya to open its lithium ion battery Gigafactory in Ellicott. The Canadian company will create about hundreds of new jobs in a local economy that has long needed the addition of dependable, non-seasonal, non-tourism-related positions. It’s been a long road for Electrovaya as company officials worked through the purchase of the former MD Electronics building in the Mason Industrial Park and then pieced together the puzzle of loans, tax incentives ...

BUDGETS: Tax hikes define Dunkirk differences

It is apples and oranges when comparing the budgets of the town of Dunkirk and the city of Dunkirk — but both are looking to increase tax rates. While the larger municipality is facing fiscal difficulties, there are some realities the town is beginning to see. Overall, the budget for the town is $430,000 in 2025 for about 1,240 residents. That’s a drop in the bucket when compared to the city’s $28 million plan for 12,000 residents that will likely include a hefty tax rate that may double. Town residents will see an increase, but nothing out of the ordinary. For instance, the ...

PRESIDENCY Policy changes may have impact locally

There are going to be changes to environmental regulations once President Donald Trump takes office in January. But we hope those changes don’t do much to damage the emerging green energy sector that is growing in the Jamestown area. Cummins Inc.’s fuel agnostic X15N engine is in full production at Cummins’ Busti plant after $452 million of investment in a new line to produce the engine. NFI Group has been on the receiving end of purchase orders backed by federal dollars infrastructure programs aiming to push lower emissions buses into fleets in big cities. Many of those orders ...

GOWANDA: Stamp of approval for longtime carrier

Bill Vance is from a different generation. It is one that knows the importance of going to work to serve those who live in your community. Gowanda certainly has an appreciation for his ethic. At 77 years old, Vance is still going as a postal carrier around the village. Earlier this month, the U.S. Postal Service celebrated his 50 years of service. He has seen many changes happen during the career — not all for the better. He knows the importance of the written word, and laments the amount of letters is nowhere near what it once was. In addition, today’s routes are bombarded ...

RENEWABLES: County overdoing some tax breaks

No municipality seems immune from tax increases. Nearly everyone who is engaged with what’s happening locally knows about the city of Dunkirk’s plans to raise the tax rate 108% next year due to its fiscal crisis, but other locations also are having troubles. Nearby, the town of Dunkirk announced a small tax hike at a recent board meeting. It’s very minimal — about 5 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. In the meantime, with tax rates so low in the town it seems unthinkable a renewable energy company would be looking for a break. That’s exactly what’s happening with two ...