The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA), Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Jamestown Community College (JCC), and CHQ Chamber have announced the completion of their successful business assistance programs. Since 2021, the three organizations have been collaborating to assist area businesses or nonprofits with grant funding to upgrade their marketing tools and presence, with more than 80 different employers directly benefiting from the related programs intended to assist with recovery from the effects of the COVID pandemic.

The largest program to be implemented was the CCIDA Business Marketing Assistance Program, which focused on marketing grants of up to $10,000 for small businesses (less than 50 employees), with funding provided through Chautauqua County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation. The first round of the program, launched in late 2021, resulted in 41 businesses receiving grants. It proved to be so successful that several businesses were placed on a waiting list until a second round of funding could be secured. That occurred in early 2023 through a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. As a result, an additional 35 businesses were assisted through the marketing program. A third round of the program was initiated in June 2023 following a second allocation of Chautauqua County ARPA funding, with eight additional businesses being assisted. In all, 84 businesses benefited from the marketing grants, averaging approximately $7,750 each. All said, more than $650,000 was granted out to businesses, not-for-profits, and other agencies as a result of this program.

The administration of the Marketing Assistance Program was provided by both SBDC and CHQ Chamber, which helped to promote and market the grant opportunity to businesses across the county.

Another program that was launched to assist businesses was the Economic Gardening Program, which provided customized data, analysis, and technical assistance to select “Stage 2” Companies (those poised to grow) to help elevate their business planning, with the intent of growing revenue and employment. The program was offered through the Invest Buffalo Niagara economic development agency. The total amount of funding committed to the program was $25,740 and was provided through the County’s ARPA allocation. A total of six county businesses benefited (two of which also received funds from the Business Marketing Assistance Program). Companies benefiting from the Economic Gardening Program included Jamestown Plastics, Jamestown Advanced – Homestead Implements, Dahlstrom Roll Form, Double A Vineyards, El Greco Furniture, and Barton Tool.

The CCIDA, SBDC, and CHQ Chamber also worked with Insyte Consulting to launch a third program to assist businesses. The Company Culture/ESG Program was launched to assist manufacturers (up to 500 employees) with developing strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies, which help to guide companies toward long-term success. Through this program, Insyte Consulting and the CCIDA developed a self-auditing “white paper” that was widely distributed to manufacturers throughout the county.

Over $700,000 in total funding was provided for the three programs through Chautauqua County ARPA funding and from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.

Businesses that benefited from the grant programs are as follows: 21 Brix Winery, Hanft’s Landscaping LLC, Planning Adulting, Allied Alarm Services Inc., Harrington Architecture, Portage Hill Art Gallery, Barley Dog, LLC, Herbs for Life, Portage Pie, Barton Tool Inc., Hollan Group LLC, Ready About Sailing, Inc., Be More Fitness, Honest John’s Pizzeria, Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, Bemus Point Association, I-86, Reishore Clothing, Biodome, Integrity First, Inc. (Jamestown Jackals), Ripley Machine & Tool, Bohn Original Crunch Roll, Jamestown Advanced Products, Rose Brook Golf, Carlberg Farm, Jamestown Mattress, S Howes LLC, Century 21 Turner Brokers, Jamestown Rubber Stamp Co., Inc., S. St. George Enterprises Inc. Chautauqua Adult Day Care, J.F. Consulting Services, Shawbucks, Inc., Chautauqua Art Gallery, Lawson Boat and Motor, Skywalker Stable, Chautauqua Children’s Gym, Maple Springs Tree Service, Southern Tier Center for Emerging Artists, Chautauqua County Humane Society, Merritt Estate Winery, St. Elmo Spa, Chautauqua Lake Association, Mitchener Builders, Stella A. Kitchen & Bar, Chautauqua Leadership Network, Monroe and More LLC, Swan Painting

Chautauqua Marina, Moran and Associates Flooring, LLC, TaQo Corp, Chautauqua Striders, Inc., Mulligan’s on Fairmount, The Heron Farm and Event Center, Chautauqua Works, Nordstrom Williams, The Landmark Restaurant, CK Natural Fruit Juice, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, The Legend Group, Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association, Ohm Nohm Gluten Free, The Forage Source, LLC, Crown Street Roasting, One Fine Day Boat Charter, Thompson Water & Wastewater Services, Inc., Custom Stitches by Roxanne, One World Catering, TPS Propane, Cynde B. Photography, Otra Vez Vintage Clothing, UHL Ventures LLC (SERVPRO), Dutch Village Restaurant, Owl Homes of Fredonia, United Industries, Fresh Ink Writing, Panama Rocks, Villagio Italiano, Green Tree Inn Bed & Breakfast

Pearl City Cycle, Wellness with Kristian, Group Ther-Happy, Peterson Farm, Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation.