Community Profile
2017
www.chautauquachamber.org
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Table of Contents
Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce 10785 Bennett Road Dunkirk, NY 14048 phone: (716) 366-6200 fax: (716) 366-4276
512 Falconer Street Jamestown, NY 14701 phone: (716) 484-1101 fax: (716) 487-0785
Chamber Profile
4
Board of Directors
6
Membership Handbook
7
Community Chambers
10
Health and Human Services
14
Living Here
15
Learning Here
16
Working Here
18
Playing Here
20
Famous People from Chautauqua County
22
Chamber Gems
24
Dunkirk Fredonia Hanover Jamestown Mayville/Chautauqua Westfield/Barcelona
While all precautions have been taken in publishing this directory, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Information supplied is current as of January 1, 2017. Data is believed to be accurate as of the date of compilation and is taken from sources deemed reliable. Unless otherwise noted, all images are the photography of Sheila Webster for the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce. Front cover inset at top is from Kranky Plate productions for Dream It Do It WNY. Š 2017 All rights reserved.
www.chautauquachamber.org
Chamber Profile The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier, is leading businesses and leading communities here in our region. As privately funded organizations, we focus on initiatives and services to help build stronger businesses and communities in Chautauqua County.
The Five Point Focus:
■■ Fostering business to customer connections ■■ Increasing business to business connections ■■ Containing health insurance costs through pro-active solutions ■■ Advocating for positive change with a focus on reducing taxes ■■ Supporting economic, workforce, and tourism development
Chamber State Legislative Breakfast
Our MISSION is to create a business environment in the region where our members can thrive. Our VISION is that the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is a regional leader that is data driven, flexible and strong, providing services and support that make our organization essential to our members.
Principles ■■ We strive to reduce taxes and regulatory barriers that hamper the viability of our member businesses by driving change through communication and coordination with the local, state and federal government, and regulatory agencies. ■■ We seek to gain regional competitive advantage by having a superior workforce available for our members. ■■ We play a pro-active role in delivering, innovative, high quality, cost competitive health insurance products for our members.
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■■
■■
We achieve our mission through the development of services and sharing of information that benefits our members and the geographic area in which they operate. We work with government and various organizations to define and address the economic and tourism development needs of our small business members with emphasis on helping these businesses increase sales and reduce costs; and through the implementation of the Main Street four point approach of organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring.
One of the important ways the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce fulfills its mission is through our six Community Chambers of Commerce. With staff in the communities to coordinate activities, we focus on sustainability and economic growth through the implementation of the Main Street four point approach which highlights organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring. Our Community Chambers serve Dunkirk, Fredonia, Hanover, Jamestown, Mayville-Chautauqua, and Westfield-Barcelona.
Affiliated Organizations The Manufacturers Association
of the Southern
Tier (MAST) is a pro-active leader committed to enhancing the economic strength of the region. The Association promotes the common interests of its membership, develops services that benefit its members and is a primary resource for information and assistance to promote manufacturing excellence and innovation in a global economy. The Dream It Do It Western New York mission is to increase the skilled workforce entering manufacturing careers. Our vision is to provide manufacturers in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany, Erie, and Niagara Counties with a labor force that has the skill and training levels required to meet their demands. The Chautauqua County Education Coalition works to align resources and build capabilities to meet the evolving workforce requirements of the community. With stakeholders participating from a broad variety of organizations, the Coalition is striving to benchmark and improve kindergarten readiness; identify and develop middle to high school career pathways connected to the healthcare and manufacturing economies; and coordinate and align offerings of cohort training for in-demand occupations in healthcare and manufacturing.
Chamber/MAST Staff (standing L-R): Sheila Webster, Director of Marketing, Communications and Governmental Affairs; Guy Ditonto, Director of Member Services; Justin Hanft, Chautauqua County Dream It Do It Coordinator; Todd Tranum, President and CEO; Craig Colburn, Director of Member Development; Dave Kleparek, Dunkirk and Hanover Community Chamber Coordinator; (seated L-R) Holly McBride, Finance Manager and Executive Assistant; Debby Marsala, Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber Coordinator; Rebecca Voty, Administrative and Marketing Assistant; Shannon Biekarck, Member Services Assistant
www.chautauquachamber.org
5
Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier Board of Directors
Chair
President
Standard Portable, Inc.
Heidenhain Corporation
Curt Anderson
Mark Shafer
Vice Chair
Brian Bugaj
Senior Vice President
Mike Abbate
Nestle Purina PetCare
Cummins, Inc.
Vice President
Treasurer
Ann Abdella
John Churchill
Chautauqua County Health Network
Jamestown Electro Plating
Secretary
Neil Frederick
Treasurer
Eric Livengood
Ulrich Planfiling
Bush Industries
Immediate Past President
Jim Pullan, Jr.
Jamestown Mattress Company
Hanover Community Chamber President
Kelly Borrello
Immediate Past President
John Zabrodsky
Advanced Manufacturing Technology
Kevin Brombacher
M&T Bank
Cabana Sam’s Sunset Bay Grill
Matt Churchill Water Street Brass
Cory Duckworth
Jamestown Community College
Fredonia Community Chamber President
David Dengler
Larson-Timko Funeral Home
Virginia Horvath
State University of New York at Fredonia
Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber President
Fred Johnson
Johnson Estate Winery Jamestown Community Chamber President
Greg Lindquist
Dale Gier
Producto Corporation
Rhonda Johnson
Weber Knapp Company
Chris Napoleon
Napoleon Engineering
Herman Ruhlman Rand Machine
Jamestown Renaissance Corp. Dunkirk Community Chamber President
Mike Pease
The Chautauqua Center
Emily Reynolds
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber President
Ken Shearer
Chautauqua Marina
John Stahley
Dresser-Rand
Richard Turner III Blackstone Advanced Technologies
Paul Zebraski
Nestle Purina PetCare
Membership Handbook
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is the largest business association in Southwestern New York, including approximately 1,000 members across all business sectors. Under its umbrella there are six community chambers in Dunkirk, Fredonia, Hanover, Jamestown, MayvilleChautauqua, and Westfield-Barcelona. Our additional partnership organizations are the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier (MAST), Dream It Do It WNY, and the Chautauqua County Education Coalition. Each of these organizations functions with the oversight of a Board of Directors, while the staff serves all of the entities and works with a variety of volunteer groups countywide. The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and its affiliated organizations provide a variety of ways for members to participate. More than 100 active volunteers help to shape the direction for our organizations and work to expand services for our members. Consumers’ perceptions of your business can play a critical role in your success. Identifying your business as a Chamber member can mean more customers and can have a positive impact on your company. We encourage you to let consumers know you are a Chamber member by: • Displaying your membership window cling in your front door or on a company vehicle. • Include the phrase “proud to be a member of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce” in your advertising and on your website. Place the Chamber logo on your website to let potential customers know you’re a Chamber member. The Members Only section of the Chamber web site allows Chamber members to log in and keep business information up to date at all times. Immediate updates in our database means immediate updates in our searchable online Business Directory. Since Google mapping is automatically included for every member, it is even easier for potential customers
to locate your business through our web site. Even if you don’t have a business web site of your own, your business is always online through the Chamber site and can easily be found through our system of category listings and/or keywords. It’s the next best thing to having your own site! The Chamber’s business directory is also mobile! Just by visiting our web site through your mobile device you can search our Chamber member list online. Membership in the Chamber automatically provides a boost in your search engine optimization online, where customers are most likely to find your business. You can even add your social media settings to your online data. In addition, your Members Only login allows you to pay
SUNAIR Express Ribbon Cutting, Chautauqua County Airport
open invoices online, take any surveys that we may offer, and track referrals through our web site. As we all increasingly compete in a global economy, online access and referrals are more important than ever. Your Chamber of Commerce provides vital tools that help our members connect better with new or current customers. We help to promote social media skills training programs locally to assist all local business people with their online presence. In both the print and online directories, members receive three free category listings, and when a customer calls us looking for a product or service we refer them first to Chamber members.
www.chautauquachamber.org
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Driving Foot and Internet Traffic to our Member Businesses
Our members have asked us to help them increase their sales. To that end we have initiated a variety of strategies to help our members improve their bottom line. Customers are the life blood of any business, and the Chamber works to foster connections between business and customers in a variety of ways. Working in partnership with our six community chambers, we produce events at the community level that provide value to our members and bring customers into our local communities. We coordinate a variety of promotional and advertising opportunities for our members to help them connect with consumers such as our Small Business Saturday promotion and the Chamber’s Gift Check program, which has resulted in a more than $2-million economic impact. We help our members improve their internet presence. Every member receives a web-based listing as part of their membership, boosting their search engine optimization through Google. Being a Chamber member helps consumers find member businesses, whether your customers are local or from out of town. We foster member referrals with over 40,000 direct and web-based referrals per year. In addition, we offer training opportunities to help our members better utilize social media to help drive sales into their businesses.
Chamber Networking Event, Chautauqua County Fairgrounds
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First Friday, Westfield
Increasing Business to Business Connections
Our members look to us to help them connect with other businesses in the region. Business to business connections are an essential part of operating a successful business. We are here to help facilitate those connections: • Networking and Training Events • Annual Golf Tournament • Annual Awards Banquet • Annual Meeting Through sponsorship and marketing programs we provide our members excellent opportunities to connect with businesses in the region. In addition, advertising opportunities on our web-based platforms are an affordable way to connect with businesses throughout Chautauqua County. Throughout the year we distribute the Chautauqua Business Weekly email to our members, sharing information about Chamber and member events, issues, and policies. Our weekly Chamber Corner column is published 52 times a year by local newspapers highlighting business activities in Chautauqua County and New York State. We also provide an online electronic newsletter monthly, The VOICE, which highlights not only Chamber articles but news from our member businesses as well.
Containing Health Insurance Costs Through Pro-Active Solutions
Our members have voiced their need to have accessibility to a variety of health insurance products and assistance in managing their costs. Over the past several years we have re-invented the way that we deliver insurance products to our membership in an effort to offer choice and contain costs. We are positioned to serve businesses from the sole proprietor to the large self insured employer. We are constantly looking at and implementing innovative ways to lower costs and provide the most cost effective insurance possible for our members. We offer the private Bright Choices insurance exchange; a platform that offers insurance products and ancillary benefits through multiple carriers. For some businesses the New York State of Health is the best fit for their needs. We work with our members to access a wide variety of plan options and ancillary benefits available through the State exchange. For our medium and large size businesses we partner with Lawley Benefits Group. Through this partnership we are able to offer innovative cost saving solutions to our members as well as help our members address health insurance compliance requirements.
Advocating for Positive Change with a Focus on Reducing Taxes
Our members seek to be part of a unified voice that advocates for them with a focus on reducing taxes. We have an active public policy committee composed of a variety of business leaders. Our goal is to create a climate of growth and success for all businesses of Chautauqua County. Our efforts promote a pro-business agenda at all levels of government – local, county, state and federal. We promote this agenda in partnership with the business community. In addition,
Chamber State Legisaltive Breakfast
we have strategic partnerships with the Business Council of New York State, the Manufacturers Alliance of New York State, Unshackle Upstate, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Businesses and the Chamber Alliance of New York State that puts our members in a network that channels information to and from all levels of government. To help facilitate strong connections between our membership and our top elected officials in the region we host several legislative events during the year. Through these events we provide direct access to our Congressional Representative, State Senate and Assembly Representatives and our County Executive.
Supporting Economic, Workforce and Tourism Development
We play a strong support role for economic development efforts in the region. While our priority is to help support our members, we do support new economic development efforts that present opportunities to bring new businesses to the community and create a fertile environment for business expansion. Our members have identified workforce development as a number one priority. To that end we emphasize building relationships with our educational institutions and forming partnerships to train the workforce of the future. We have helped support the development and provided organizational support to the Chautauqua County Education Coalition, which is focused on aligning resources and helping build capabilities within the Chautauqua County learning system. We are also home to the Dream It Do It Western New York program whose mission is to increase the skilled workforce pipeline entering manufacturing careers. Tourism is growing and we are proud to work with our members and partners in the tourism industry to advance “Chautauqua County…the World’s Learning Center” as a national and international draw for visitors.
Chamber Golf Tournament, Peek’n Peak
www.chautauquachamber.org
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Dunkirk Community Chamber of Commerce
Fredonia Community Chamber of Commerce
The City of Dunkirk has a great deal to offer for residents and visitors alike! With miles of public access to Lake Erie, there are public beaches at Wright Park and Point Gratiot, picnic areas at Memorial Park, boating access from the Dunkirk Pier, and a beautiful historic lighthouse. Just 50 miles southwest of Buffalo, Dunkirk is easy to access along the New York State Thruway corridor and features a thriving manufacturing base as well as a downtown waterfront marina. Dunkirk is a community of hardworking, caring people who are proud of their heritage and the City’s history. Dunkirk’s recreational facilities are unsurpassed throughout Western New York for a municipality of its size. An abundance of natural resources as well as financial, workforce and technological support networks provides businesses with competitive opportunities for growth. In addition, Dunkirk offers a variety of accommodations and restaurants, along with small city friendliness. The housing stock is diverse, offering everything from historically renovated homes to a modern apartment or a lake front lifestyle. The Dunkirk City Boardwalk houses eight tourist-friendly commercial and dining establishments, all accessible along a 160 foot long covered boardwalk. Browse the shops for unique gifts and enjoy the eateries, all the while taking in the scenic Chadwick Bay! Dunkirk is also home to the SUNY College at Fredonia Technology Incubator which houses numerous start-up businesses in the technology sector. With a small county airport nearby and the Buffalo Metropolitan Airport just a short car ride away, Dunkirk is easily accessible by air as well as by car. The region offers timely connections to all major metropolitan areas in the eastern United States and Canada. For more information contact Dunkirk Community Chamber Coordinator Dave Kleparek at (716) 366-6200.
A charming village with a thriving downtown, Fredonia boasts both historic architecture and contemporary convenience. Just minutes from the New York State Thruway, with a variety of commercial and industrial businesses, Fredonia is also home to lovely residential neighborhoods featuring Victorian homes. Laid out in 1825, the twin Barker Commons make up the centerpiece of the village. Two Victorian fountains are showcased by graceful shade trees and floral displays. Adjacent to the Commons is the Fredonia Village Hall and its restored 1891 Opera House, which is an architectural treasure routinely used for public performances and movies. Shop, eat, relax, spend the night and enjoy cultural activities in a village rich in both classic elegance and contemporary delight. The quaint shops, quiet streets, friendly people, and a care for the casual visitor makes this village a perfect daytrip or a vacation destination. Nestled among the vineyards of Northern Chautauqua County, Fredonia is a community deeply rooted and growing. Close by you will find welcoming estate wineries, enchanting artists’ shops, and the beauty of our natural world in Western New York. The village of Fredonia is home to the State University of New York College at Fredonia – a comprehensive residential liberal arts college which has earned recognition several times in the “America’s Best Colleges” listing in US News & World Report. Not only does the school offer an excellent education with a SUNY pricetag, it also shapes much of the cultural and residential life in the surrounding community. For more information contact Fredonia Community Chamber Coordinator Heidi Seddon at (716) 679-1565.
10 10
Boardwalk, Dunkirk
Barker Commons, Fredonia
Hanover Community Chamber of Commerce
Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce
The Town of Hanover makes the most of its prime location along the southern shore of Lake Erie. The sand-covered beaches host summer fun, lakefront dining and clubs, marinas, and camping, as well as the popular Polar Bear swim each January. Beachfront cottages and a popular nightlife scene are summertime favorites in the Sunset Bay area, while the Villages of Silver Creek and Forestville are widely known for the Festival of Grapes and the Fall Festival respectively. Surrounded by beautiful and fruitful vineyards, the area is known for its many wineries. During grape season, you can actually smell grapes just by driving along Routes 5 or 20. With a population of about 3,000 people, the region features the best of country living and picturesque neighborhoods, with all amenities close at hand. Just a short distance away is the nearby Seneca Nation Gaming and Entertainment Facility. Hanover is home to a wide variety of businesses from small specialty shops to major manufacturers and health care, and is served by both the Silver Creek and Forestville School districts. For more information contact Hanover Chamber Coordinator Dave Kleparek at (716) 366-6200.
Jamestown is a community on the rise! Located at the southeastern tip of Chautauqua Lake, it is the largest city in Chautauqua County, rich in historic sites and museums such as the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, Fenton History Center, and the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts. As Lucille Ball’s hometown, Jamestown boasts the LucyDesi Center for Comedy and Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown, and is soon to be home to the National Comedy Center, now under construction. Jamestown is also home of the Robert H. Jackson Center, promoting the legacy of the hometown lawyer who would become the United States Chief Prosecutor of Nazi War Criminals at Nuremberg, Germany and Supreme Court Justice. The City of Jamestown is a vibrant community serving as the industrial, commercial, financial and recreational hub of Southwestern New York. As the center of a metropolitan area of more than 70,000 residents and a market area of nearly 175,000 people, Jamestown supports a broad range of industry, modern commercial establishments and financial institutions, and provides a myriad of cultural and recreation opportunities for its residents. Jamestown is the location of the world-class Northwest Arena, a venue for large events and home to hockey and figure skating, the restored Gateway Train Station, downtown accommodations, dining opportunities and shopping and many special events. Jamestown offers higher education opportunities through both Community College, a twoyear college in the SUNY system, and Jamestown Business College, a private institution. Both offer degree and certificate programs in many areas. For more information contact Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce Coordinator Lee Harkness at (716) 484-1101.
Cabana Sam’s, Sunset Bay
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Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, Jamestown
Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber of Commerce
Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber of Commerce
The Village of Mayville serves as the Chautauqua County seat, rich in county history and government. Situated at the north end of Chautauqua Lake, it is a natural gateway to the lake and is quickly becoming a year-round destination. Mayville is one of the fastest-growing arts, dining, and entertainment communities on Chautauqua Lake. Widely known for boating, fishing, and a summer concert in the park series, it is also home to the largest winter festival in Western New York – featuring construction of a large ice castle each February, family-friendly activities, snowmobiling, and other winter recreational activities. Nearby, the world-renowned Chautauqua Institution provides a nine-week summer program featuring a rich blend of educational, arts, history, and religious programming. Chautauqua becomes a thriving summer colony each year featuring top name entertainment as well as plays, operas, recreation, and a full schedule of educational opportunities, as well as grand hotels and accommodations, a golf course, tennis courts, and more. Chautauqua Lake is also surrounded by rolling hills, rural countryside, and woodlands. Around the lake, there are numerous small villages and communities, including two Amish settlements. For more information contact Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber Coordinator Debby Marsala at (716) 753-3113.
Westfield is a community with 19th century charm of a flourishing small town combined with 21st century modern technologies and conveniences. Westfield is a safe, secure community, which is ideal for children with many parks, playgrounds, and other public green spaces. The Westfield area has long been an attractive location for entrepreneurs and manufacturers. Located along the western shores of Lake Erie in Chautauqua County and The Seaway Trail, Westfield has direct access to Interstate 90, two major state highways and two railroads. Offering exceptional access for today’s businesses, and forward thinking regarding technology and planned development, Westfield is the ideal location for business of all sizes: from the home based business to the large corporation. Some of the area’s features include: The Barcelona Lighthouse and Barcelona Harbor, the McClurg Museum which houses the Chautauqua County Historical Society, the award-winning Patterson Library, and Lincoln-Bedell Park which depicts the meeting of Abraham Lincoln and Westfield native Grace Bedell whose letter prompted the President to grow a beard. With a reverence and appreciation for its own and the region’s history and natural resources, Westfield is a wonderful place to live, do business and visit. For more information contact the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber of Commerce at (716) 366-6200.
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Miller Bell Tower, Chautauqua
Johnson Estate Winery, Westfield
In the time-honored tradition of steamboat travel, the Chautauqua Belle is the largest vessel on Chautauqua Lake, offering a variety of sightseeing and specialty cruises from its dock in Mayville.
Health and Human Services With four local hospitals and a strong network of human service organizations, Chautauqua County residents and visitors have ready access to first class health care. A recently announced integration agreement is leading WCA Hospital in Jamestown to become the first University of Pittsburgh Medical Center affiliate in New York State. The agreement between WCA Hospital and UPMC Hamot in Erie, PA will maintain local healthcare in Chautauqua County, providing additional financial resources to improve equipment, facilities, and quality of care. Brooks Memorial Hospital also provides excellent health care in Dunkirk including a diabetic support group, a surgical ambassador program, a new women’s imaging center for digital mammography, and an expanded dialysis unit. TLC Health Network in Irving offers emergency, primary care, long term care, and chemical dependency services. As an affiliate of Saint Vincent Health System in Erie, PA, Westfield Memorial Hospital is connected to a network of the highest quality regional physician specialists, advanced technologies and highly skilled, compassionate caregivers.
Caring and skilled physicians and other medical practitioners are readily available through private offices and urgent care facilities, allowing patients to receive personalized and high quality care when they need it. In addition, a number of facilities throughout Chautauqua County provide multiple levels of care for the elderly. Programs include everything from independent living for seniors to Photo Credit: UPMC Chautauqua WCA assisted living, to nursing home care and specialized treatment for dementia patients. Adult day programs and respite care are available as well. Chautauqua County is also home to a wide array of human service programs which assist local residents who may be seeking quality childcare, youth development programs, in-home care for adults, and a range of day and residential services for the developmentally disabled.
Services include: Advocacy Mental Health First Aid Training* Support Groups Safe Place for Recovery Activities Peer Support and Education Recovery Coaching Referral and Access to Care Community Support Information STRAWW Recovery Program
Providing Hope for Recovery
Celebrating Milestones
Discovering Natural Gifts
MHA is available to assist individuals and businesses, especially those that may not have an Employees Assistance Program. We are a non-profit and a United Way Agency. All services are free of charge. *Call for specifics
Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County 31 Water Street, Jamestown, NY 14701 (716) 661-9044 chautauquamha@gmail.com
www.mhachautauqua.org
Living Here Living in Chautauqua County is extremely affordable. The median home value is just $84,500 and a variety of housing options are available from historic Victorian and Colonial architecture to new suburban housing developments and downtown apartment and loft-style facilities. Nearly 135,000 people live, work, and play in Chautauqua County, in one of the most beautiful regions of New York State. Residents enjoy picturesque landscapes and quaint villages, as well as easy access to the amenities of big city life. From any point in Chautauqua County you are never far from a body of water. There is easy access to many waterways including lake front living along Lake Erie, Chautauqua Lake, Findley Lake, and the Cassadaga Lakes as well as a number of other inland streams and rivers. Seasonal housing options range from upscale condominiums to quaint cottages. Whether you’re looking for a small city lifestyle, a suburban neighborhood, village ambiance, or country living, you will find just the right home here in Chautauqua County.
Central Avenue, Fredonia
Living in Chautauqua County Population, 2015 estimate
130,779
Mean travel time to work
18 minutes
Housing units
66,741
Homeownership rate
69.9%
Percent of housing units in multi-unit structures
23.9%
Owner-occupied housing units
35,903
Median value of owner-occupied housing units
$84,500
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
Thunder Bridge, Chautauqua
Learning Here Higher education facilities in Chautauqua County are teaching thousands of students each year in virtually every field. For many years, State University of New York at Fredonia has been listed on many of the top college lists in the region. Most recently, The Princeton Review placed Fredonia on its lists of Best Northeastern Colleges and Green Colleges. Fredonia offers a variety of undergraduate majors in the arts, humanities, and the natural and social sciences, as well as professional programs, and graduate master’s and advanced certificate programs in many areas. Jamestown Community College was the first community
DIDI Drone demonstration, Falconer Central School
Jamestown Business College is a private institution focused on a business curriculum. JBC offers students an opportunity to complete an Associates Degree in just 18 months, and a Bachelors Degree in 39 months. JBC graduates can also rely on lifetime career placement services. The Cassadaga Job Corps Center is administered through the US Department of Labor and provides technical and career training for 16 to 24-year olds in a variety of fields. Eighteen school districts in settings from urban to rural serve public school students from pre-kindergarten through high school graduation. In addition, Erie2-ChautauquaCattaraugus BOCES provides two centers for vocational education services.
Photo Credit: Jamestown Community College
college certified in New York State. With a main campus in Jamestown and additional campuses in Dunkirk and nearby Olean, JCC is committed to humanities and liberal arts programs. 4,000 students are enrolled in nearly forty degree programs, which have been expanded to include vocational education and community service. Empire State College is also a part of the SUNY system, catering to adults who are pursuing Associates, Bachelors, or Masters Degrees in a variety of disciplines. In addition, the The Communiversity at Jamestown Community College is an alliance of regional colleges and universities making select associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees accessible to individuals in Chautauqua County. Communiversity courses are delivered through a variety of models including traditional classroom settings, live interactive television links and online courses.
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Educational Attainment
Population 25 years and over: 89,955
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2015 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates
www.chautauquachamber.org
Working Here Chautauqua County’s economic climate is conducive to both small and large businesses. Dunkirk and Jamestown are home to downtown city centers which house numerous retail businesses, service industries, non-profit organizations, and manufacturing entities. Four industrial parks are home to a variety of manufacturing facilities employing thousands of residents. A number of large national and international corporations maintain sizeable manufacturing firms in Chautauqua County including Bush Industries, Cott Beverages, Cummins, Fieldbrook Foods, Heidenhain, Nestle Purina, SKF Aeroengine, TitanX, and Truck-Lite. Agriculture is another substantial part of the region’s economy. Dairy and cattle farms spot the southern end of Chautauqua County, while vineyards and wineries inhabit the northern end, with corn, apples, and other fruit and vegetable farms in between. Farmers markets and fruit stands sell locally grown produce in season. The Small Business Development Center provides support and training to individuals interested in starting up a business enterprise. The SBDC offers management assistance to current and start-up small business owners free of charge. Jamestown Community College also offers a new certificate program for budding entrepreneurs. The Industrial Development Agency of Chautauqua County works to assist businesses with tax incentives, low interest loans, and capital investments. Local development corporations in Jamestown, Dunkirk, and Westfield also work on business development projects and downtown revitalization efforts.
The SUNY Fredonia Technology Incubator in downtown Dunkirk provides its client entrepreneurs with the support, infrastructure, resources, and the guidance needed to successfully launch a new business.
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier offer support, training, information, and resources to help businesses and people throughout Chautauqua County.
Sales by Economic Sector
Number of Establishments
Value of Sales ($1,000)
Annual Payroll ($1,000)
Accomodation and Food Services
347
$208,720
$57,733
Administrative & Support and Waste Management and Remediation
102
$79,447
$34,935
70
$51,422
$18,706
Arts, Entertainment, Recreation
17
$3,854
$1,538
Finance and Insurance
175
not available
$37,005
Health care and Social Assistance
279
$623,863
$263,548
57
not available
$19,002
Manufacturing
197
$5,107,494
$428,628
Other (except public administration)
253
$105,685
$24,144
Professional, scientific, and technical services
194
$87,498
$33,258
88
$447,531
$19,864
Educational Services
Information
Real estate, rental and leasing
508
$1,437,908
$132,289
Transportation and warehousing
77
$109,480
$29,099
Utilities
12
data not collected
$19,163
109
$693,237
$58,849
Retail trade
Chamber Social Media Training Event, RTPI
Manufacturing Day, Monofrax, Falconer
Wholesale trade
2012 Economic Census of the US
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www.chautauquachamber.org
Employment by Sector: (1,000s)
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201 West Third Street, Suite 115, Jamestown, NY 214 Central Avenue, Suite 124, Dunkirk, NY
County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency
Playing Here Chautauqua County: The World’s Learning Center, provides unique experiences for visitors and residents alike with a focus on leisure and lifelong learning. Chautauqua County is a magnet for writers, artists, scientists, business people, politicians, and teachers of all disciplines to share their expertise in a relaxing vacation setting. The World’s Learning Center brand initiative is focused on the concept of learning vacations and travelers seeking out interactive tours, classes, or workshops.
well-maintained trails. Downhill and cross country skiing are favorite winter pastimes. The Northwest Arena features hockey and ice skating, and hosts a number of events throughout the year. Year-round events range from the Bemus Bay Pops concerts and Lucy-Fest in the summer to the wildly popular Mayville Winter Festival featuring construction of a large ice castle.
Chautauqua Institution
The Quintessential Learning Vacation For nine weeks each summer Chautauqua Institution comes alive with learning opportunities for all ages and interests from arts and education to religion and recreation. Each day is filled with activity from morning worship services and lectures, to classes and camp activities, to evening performances. Music festivals, summer camp, golf, and sailing are all part of the Chautauqua experience wrapped into a single destination for the whole family.
Distillery Tour, Mazza 5 & 20, Westfield
Culinary Experiences Celebrate Regional Flavors
Fishing in Dunkirk Harbor
Sports and Recreation
While visiting America’s Grape Country, visitors can experience farm tours, farmers markets, winery tours, or one of the many agriculture and food oriented events held each year. With over 30,000 acres of vineyards, Chautauqua County is the oldest and largest Concord grape growing region in the world; celebrated by the new Grape Discovery Center. If other beverages suit you more, you may enjoy a tour and tasting at the Southern Tier Brewing Company or at New York State’s first combination winery, distillery and brewery at Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing. Chautauqua County is also home to a variety of restaurants from sidewalk cafes to home-style diners to fine dining experiences.
Learn to Play on Land, Water, and Snow With 50 miles of Lake Erie shoreline plus Chautauqua Lake, the Cassadaga Lakes, Findley Lake, and numerous creeks and waterways, Chautauqua County is a fisherman’s and boater’s paradise. With golf courses for all levels of play, ski resorts, and trails for hiking, horseback riding and snowmobiling, Chautauqua County is a four-season recreational playground. Opportunities abound for tennis, sailing, rowing, and more. Learn the basics with sailing courses or simply rent a boat and spend a day on the beautiful waters of Chautauqua Lake. In the winter snowmobilers enjoy over 200 miles of scenic
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The Natural World
Culture and History
From summer camps and interpretive trails to bird migration flyways, Chautauqua County’s four seasons offer plenty of opportunities for exploring nature. Witness spectacular views of field, forest, and pond and meet many of wildlife’s wonders at the Audubon Center and Sanctuary. You can hike over five miles of trails on this 600-acre wetland preserve.
For over a century, visitors to and residents of Chautauqua County have been gathering at lakeside assemblies and summer camps and inviting guests from around the world to share in the experience. Learn about Chautauqua County’s history through tours aboard the Chautauqua Belle, a replica 19th Century paddlewheel steamer or on the Summer Wind dinner cruiser. Learn about the life and work of Lucille Ball, or former Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson; visit the Fenton History Center, the McClurg Museum, or take a cemetery tour for glimpses into Chautauqua County’s past. Learn about Abraham Lincoln’s connection to Chautauqua County. Take a drive through Amish country, explore the Lily Dale Assembly, or visit historic Lake Erie lighthouses at Dunkirk and Barcelona.
Utilizing our Natural Assets
Carrying on a Tradition of Learning
Dedicated to the life and works of a key pioneer in the environmental movement and the father of birding, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute promotes the teaching and study of nature. The center is the home of Peterson’s collected works from a long and fruitful life as a naturalist and nature artist.
Creative Camps Learning for Youth
Rich in arts and culture, visitors to Chautauqua County can nurture their creative spirits with learning experiences in music, knitting, jewelry making, painting, dance, and more. Opportunities for youth abound with outdoor camps, crafts, sports, performing arts, or Kids College programs. Whether you are young or young at heart there is something to learn in Chautauqua County!
Lucille Ball Statue, Celoron
Cross Country Skiing, Chautauqua
July 3-9th, 2017
“Hamot chooses Peek’n Peak for numerous overnight retreats and meetings. The amenities make it the perfect venue for team building. We really enjoy playing golf, visiting the spa,
www.PknPk.com
and stretching our limits on the adventure course.”
~ David P. Gibbons UPMC Hamot, COO
Over 20,000 SqFt. of Meeting & Event Space • 108 Brand New Hotel Rooms • Clymer , NY
Famous People from Chautauqua County Brad Anderson (1924-2015)
Born in Jamestown and a graduate of Brocton Central School, he served in the US Navy and later graduated from Syracuse University. He began a career in advertising before he created the comic strip Marmaduke in 1954, which he continued to draw until his death.
Lucille Ball (1911-1989)
Born in Jamestown and raised in Celoron, she was a model, actress, and star of stage, radio, film, and television including the beloved I Love Lucy show which continues to air in reruns worldwide. She was also the first woman to head a television production company, Desilu, which she founded with her first husband, Desi Arnaz.
Hugh C. Bedient (1889-1965)
Born in Gerry, he was a starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and the Buffalo Blues. He gained notoriety when he struck out 42 batters in a 23-inning game while pitching for a semi-pro team.
Alonzo H. Cushing (1841-1863)
Born in Wisconsin and raised in Fredonia, he was appointed to the US Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned a first lieutenant in the US Army, helping to lead most battles of the Army of the Potomac before he was killed in action during the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2014.
Howard J. Ehmke (1894-1959)
Born in Silver Creek, he was a major league baseball pitcher, having played for the Buffalo Blues, the Detroit Tigers, the Boston Red Sox, and the Philadelphia Athletics. He later founded the Ehmke Manufacturing Company, the first company to produce large tarps to spread over the infield when it rains to keep the water off the baseball diamond.
Reuben E. Fenton (1819-1885)
Born in the Town of Carroll, he was elected to the US House of Representatives, serving from 1853-1855, and then again from 1857-1864 when he resigned to serve his newly elected office as the 22nd Governor of New York State. He held that office until 1869 when he was elected to the US Senate and held that office until 1875.
Charles E. Goodell (1926-1987) Born in Jamestown, he was an attorney and then congressional liaison assistant for the US Department of Justice, when he was elected in a special election to serve in Congress in 1959. He served three succeeding terms, and then was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 1968 to the unexpired term of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, where he served until 1970. Roger S. Goodell (b. 1959)
Born in Jamestown, he is currently Commissioner of the National Football League (NFL). The son of the late U.S. Senator Charles Goodell, his career began as an intern with the league office. He filled a variety of roles in the NFL administration, culminating with his appointment as NFL Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2001 and then his appointment as Commissioner in 2006.
Benjamin Franklin Goodrich (1841-1888)
Born in Ripley, he became a doctor and served in the Union Army in the American Civil War. He later practiced medicine in Jamestown, and then worked in the oil industry and in real estate, before founding the B. F. Goodrich rubber company.
Robert H. Jackson (1892-1954)
Raised in Frewsburg, he was the United States Attorney General from 1940-1941 and an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1941-1954. He was the chief prosecutor of the surviving Nazi leaders at the Nuremberg War Crimes Trial.
Stanley N. Lundine (b. 1939)
Born in Jamestown, he served as the city’s mayor for six years and received national attention for his labor/management strategies before he was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives in 1976. He served in Congress for ten years before running on a successful ticket with Mario Cuomo to become the 71st Lieutenant Governor of New York.
Natalie Merchant (b. 1963)
Born in Jamestown, she was lead singer and primary lyricist for the alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs, which was founded in Jamestown in 1981. She fronted the band for twelve years then left it in 1993 to launch a successful solo career.
Karl Peterson (1866-1949)
Born in Sweden, he immigrated to Jamestown at the age of 20. An avid inventor, he is credited with perfecting the adjustable wrench and was co-founder of the Crescent Tool Company in Jamestown. His invention is still known today as the Crescent wrench and you can almost certainly find one in every good toolbox.
Roger Tory Peterson (1908-1996)
Born in Jamestown, he was a naturalist, ornithologist and artist. His Guide to the Birds, published in 1934, is considered to be the first modern field guide and is known for its clear illustrations and delineation of relevant field marks. He developed the Peterson Identification System and edited or wrote many volumes in the Peterson Field Guide series.
George M. Pullman (1831-1897)
Born in Brocton, he was an inventor and industrialist known for inventing the Pullman sleeping car for the railroad industry. Endowment funding left after his death eventually led to establishment of the George M. Pullman Education Foundation which has awarded over $30-million in scholarships to more than 11,000 students in its more than 60-year history.
Don Reinhoudt (b. 1945)
A native of Brocton, he won the title of World’s Strongest Man in 1979. He was the first and only person to win the World Powerlifting Superheavyweight Championship four times in a row from 1973-1976 and was the first man to break the 2,400 pound total record in powerlifting. He is still considered one of the best powerlifters of all time.
John M. Schofield (1831-1906)
Born in Gerry, he was an American soldier who held major commands during the American Civil War. He later served as U.S. Secretary of War and Commanding General of the United States Army.
George Stoneman, Jr. (1822-1894)
Born in the Town of Busti, he was a career United States Army officer, a Union cavalry general in the American Civil War, and the 15th Governor of California between 1883 and 1887.
Jenn (Stuczynski) Suhr (b. 1982)
Born in Fredonia, she played softball, basketball, soccer, and track and field in her early years. She was introduced to the pole vault as a sophomore at Roberts Wesleyan College, and began competing in the event just weeks later. She won the silver medal in women’s pole vault at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and then the gold medal in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
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