Chautauqua County will receive nearly $1.4 million in Regional Economic Development Council grants, according to state Sen. Catharine Young's office.
"The news is tremendous because these projects will strengthen our economy and help create and retain jobs, something our communities need," said Sen. Young, R-C-I-Olean. "We need to get people back to work, develop good-paying jobs for our families and have career opportunities so our young people can stay after they graduate. These projects will be a boon to our local economies, and I applaud Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Lt. Governor Duffy for working with us to achieve this successful initiative that is spurring job growth and building a stronger future."
Chautauqua County projects receiving money include:
Advanced Manufacturing Machinists Training Program, $99,900 - Jamestown Community College of Chautauqua County will train 27 unemployed workers as machinists.
City of Dunkirk Main Street Program, $250,000 - The city of Dunkirk will renovate seven buildings in its business district. The award will also be used for a streetscape improvement project.
Design and Construction of Village of Bemus Point Streetscape Improvements, $375,000 - The village of Bemus Point will design and construct infrastructure improvements including sidewalks and curbs, paving, lighting, landscaping, street furnishings, crosswalk improvements, and wayfinding signage along Lakeside Drive and Main Street in downtown Bemus Point. The project will provide safer access for pedestrians and drivers, support the commercial district, and enable expansion of public events by accommodating seasonal visitors whose business is vital to the local economy.
Dunkirk Bioenergy Power Generation Project, $350,000 - This project is designed to take advantage of the industrial organic waste stream that exists in a small circumference around the facility site to receive and process organic waste for power generation.
Manufacturing of Low Emissions Wood-fired Boilers, $250,000 - Lopper North America will purchase new manufacturing equipment for metal cutting, bending and welding operations necessary for production of the new generation of low-emissions, wood-fired boiler technology.
Westfield Main Street Project, $150,000 - Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. will renovate eight buildings in the village of Westfield. The award will be used for interior and exterior renovations to eight units. Streetscape enhancements will also be made with New York Main Street funding.
Statewide, a total of $738 million was awarded for 725 economic development projects in every region of New York state.