Pictured is Aili Makuch, the city’s new Economic Development Coordinator, who has been in the position for around two months. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

Aili Makuch hasn’t been in her position as Jamestown’s new economic development coordinator for long.

Among her first acts – make sure people know the position will be used differently than it has in the past. Makuch says she will be actively pursuing new development opportunities.

“I want to prioritize transparency and have people know we are actively working to make Jamestown better,” Makuch said. “One of the main concerns I have seen when it comes to my position is that people want transparency and they want to know what is going on and that I’m not just sitting around in my office. Part of my job should be and will be pursuing businesses and connecting with those who have gone through hardships and come out the other side.”

Since taking on her role a little less than two months ago, Makuch said she has had a goal of focusing on economic development, specifically new businesses, and working on communication between both her, the new businesses, and the community itself.

Makuch grew up in Mayville with her mother as a teacher in Jamestown, so while not directly from the city herself, she said she was drawn to her new position as a way to help people.

“I’ve always had a passion for making a change and making a visible, tangible difference in the community,” Makuch said. “I see this role as an opportunity to make an impact and use my skill sets to provide a different perspective. I have experience in real estate and retail and that experience helps me to have the ability to make a difference and help people succeed.”

Makuch began her job as the Economic Development Coordinator on Jan. 2, and since then she said it has been a “whirlwind” and a lot of what she has been doing so far is learning. Makuch’s predecessor was not in the position for a while before she took over, with the position remaining open for about six months before Makuch was hired. In that time, Makuch said other members of the Department of Development have been doing some of the work, so Makuch has had many people to learn from and help to show her the ropes as she settles in.

“That’s something I imagine will continue for years to come in this position,” Makuch said. “This is a position where I am constantly learning about how to best do things to support the city.”

As Makuch’s job title might suggest, Makuch’s main goal is to help develop Jamestown’s economy. This involves a lot of meetings with community partners and nonprofit organizations, along with working to bring new businesses into Jamestown and bumping up the department’s market presence. Makuch said she would like to help people to know that the city has programs available to help new development, including loans, and connecting the dots for those who might need more information to do other things in the city, such as starting a new business.

“I’d love for us to be the first stop when someone is considering starting a business in Jamestown,” Makuch said. “I’ve been doing a lot of property visits and getting to know business owners in the city and their families and spheres of influence.”

Makuch’s job also includes research, specifically on what has been done in the past that may have worked or not worked, and seeing where her predecessor left off on certain things. One big goal for her, she said, is developing transparency that people typically have with those in public steward roles.

“We are here to make Jamestown better and our position in the community is a big part of that,” Makuch said. “I specifically lean towards businesses and tourism, and the others in the department do fabulous work and work really hard.”

As a part of her focus on businesses, Makuch is also working on plans to boost downtown Jamestown. She said working hand-in-hand with these businesses and the community ties in with tourism, not just in Jamestown but Chautauqua County as a whole. While downtown Jamestown is densely populated all of the time, Makuch said the county draws more tourism during the warmer seasons because of the lake, and she would like to connect that tourism to the businesses in downtown Jamestown.

Another initiative in the city that Makuch has played a large part in is the creation of a developer forum to bring together developers with housing experience and backgrounds, along with those with financial experience to come tour some vacant sites in the city and ask questions and to build connections. Right now they are looking for April 30 as the day for the forum, and Makuch said invitations will be sent out soon, with posts on social media just beginning. Work on the final details is still being done, including narrowing down which sites will be seen on the day. Makuch said Ellen Ditonto with the BPU is spearheading the event, but that she is excited to help support it.

Makuch has also seen some people having concerns with her not living directly in the city, even though she grew up in the area, and said that is something that will be fixed soon as she moves to downtown Jamestown next week. Being a part of downtown is something that will allow her to be a part of the community more and that there will be things she can learn as a resident of downtown.

“I think it will help with my position and I am thrilled to be here and excited to see what the next years will hold,” Makuch said.