Gina Paradis speaks during the county legislature’s Audit and Control Committee meeting about the county’s land bank program.

Over the last decade the Chautauqua County Land Bank program has had a lot of success, though its director is worried that funding challenges could hinder them in the future.

Gina Paradis, the director of the county land bank, recently spoke to members of the county legislature’s Audit and Control Committee. While there, she pushed for continued partnership with the county, while at the same time discussed some of their financial challenges.

“Our land bank has really enjoyed a solid reputation in terms of what we’ve been able to accomplish and we’ve become a model for other rural land banks across the country, if not across the state,” she said.

Land banks were created as as tool for communities to address issues of blight. In the 10 years since the county land bank has been around, Paradis said they’ve put $5.5 million back on the tax rolls, leveraged about $11 million in private investment and secured almost $7 million in grant funding for blight abatement in the county.

In the past, the land bank had 15-18 properties for rehabilitation annually and 20-22 properties for demolition. Paradis said demolition properties are identified by municipal leaders and code enforcement officers.

They use most of their grant funds for demolition.

“It’s an activity that we can’t see any monetary return on but the positive impact in terms of riding our neighborhoods of unsightly and unsafe structures is just immeasurable,” Paradis said.

Revenue from home sales provides only unrestricted revenue that they operate with. However, Paradis noted that over the last two years, the county has not held any tax auctions. “The moratorium on foreclosures challenged our land bank with no access to inventory these past two years. No revenue available through home sales has been available,” she said.

Paradis noted they’ve had some money saved up over the years, so they’re OK for now. They’ve also received some funds from the Sheldon Foundation.

In the past, the land banks received funds through a settlement funds from the mortgage crisis, from when the state took action against the large banks that they felt caused the mortgage crisis.

In the beginning, Chautauqua County was one of five land banks in the state. Now there are 29 and five more may be coming.

Statewide, the land banks requested $100 million. They were earmarked $50 million in the budget. Paradis said they’re waiting for the details on how to apply for those funds.

She also said they’re hoping the county land bank might receive American Rescue Plan Act funds from Jamestown, Dunkirk or both. They’re still working with the cities to make that determination.

Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon, R-Bemus Point, noted that in the beginning the legislature was given a list of properties. That changed and they had the chairs of the Audit and Control and Administrative Services committees work with the land bank to identify properties.

He likes that model better. “I feel that was a very positive move for the county and for the land bank because prior to that, decisions were being made considerations were being made and we would just be presented with a list of properties. This gives the legislature an opportunity to participate in those considerations and those discussions in choosing those properties,” he said.

Both he and Paradis said they support such a model in the future. “We’re hoping the legislature will continue to work with us to transfer properties from the auction that meet our mission and objectives and support our need for sustainability,” said Paradis.

Legislator Terry Niebel, R-Sheridan, thanked Paradis for all her hard work. “I think the last couple of years has been tough on land banks, but you and your staff have done a very good job, especially with demolitions,” he said.