Chautauqua County is one step closer to getting all the funding necessary for the proposed shovel-ready site in the western end of the county near I-90.

On Thursday, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced $1 million for the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency’s Ripley Interstate Shovel Ready Site project to extend electrical service to prepare a 147-acre site for future employers. The funding is through the Appalachian Regional Commission, a federal-state partnership in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

“Chautauqua County is a prime location for economic investment, and this $1 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help build a new shovel-ready site in Ripley to ensure that Western New York can land new employers and good-paying jobs,” Schumer said in a news release. “I fought to increase funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission because I know how important it is to create opportunities for economic development across Upstate New York. Now, this commission is delivering for New York, positioning the region to attract new investment that will bring employment opportunities and tax revenue to Chautauqua County and broader Western New York.”

U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy also issued a statement of support. “I’m proud to announce this significant investment in Chautauqua County’s electrical infrastructure with the goal of driving economic development,” he said. “Projects like the Ripley Interstate Shovel Ready Site are critical for bringing new jobs and businesses to the Southern Tier. With this grant, we are laying the groundwork for much-needed growth and future economic success.”

During Tuesday’s county IDA meeting, IDA Chief Executive Officer Mark Geise gave an update on the project.

He noted they are looking for $16 million total for the development. On Tuesday, two days before the $1 million grant announcement, Geise said they had $12 million “in the bank.” Thursday’s announcement will bring that total to $13 million.

There are two other federal grants the county IDA is waiting to hear from.

Geise said no matter what, the county is committed to the project. He said if they don’t hit on all the grants they apply for, they will scale back the project, but it will still be enough, he said, to attract business development.

In Thursday’s announcement by Schumer and Langworthy, they noted goal of the Ripley project is to spur economic growth in Western New York by supporting the county IDA’s efforts to improve infrastructure, especially extending a 34.5 kv electric service to the site, providing necessary power to attract more employers looking to expand or move to the region.

This improved site readiness will especially help meet an increased demand from manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries to grow in the region, partially spurred by increased investment from the Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS & Science Law, and Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

County Executive PJ Wendel thanked the federal officials for their support. “Securing this funding marks a tremendous step forward in the development of the Ripley shovel-ready site, a project that is vital to the future growth and prosperity of not only the local community but all of Chautauqua County,” he said.

In June, Geise gave an update on the project at a legislative committee meeting. For potential job creation, Geise noted there’s a lot of variables. For Phase I, he said they could envision 35% light industrial, 60% warehousing and 5% general office. If that’s the case, the light industrial section could have 120 jobs, the warehouse distribution could have 100 jobs, and the office work could have 100 jobs, with a total of 320 positions.

Phase 2, with the same percentages, could have another 320 jobs.

Geise said they would like to start construction on Phase I in 2025 and have it completed so it could be marketed by the summer of 2026.