After visits with our economic development partners in Wyoming County and Genesee County this summer, the Invest Buffalo Niagara team’s next stop was Chautauqua County. Our partners with the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) provided tours of available land and buildings.
Known for its heritage in agribusiness, Chautauqua County is also an advanced manufacturing community, with significant operations for Cummins and SKF located in its borders. An addition to these international corporations will be the Buffalo Billion funded project for Athenex, a pharmaceutical manufacturing operation locating in Dunkirk, adding 450 jobs to the community.
Chautauqua County has two major centers of industry. In the northern part of the county, the adjacent towns of Dunkirk, Fredonia and Sheridan are home to the majority of the food processing operations. With the closure of ConAgra in 2014, a local entrepreneur has taken ownership of the 42-acre site and is leasing portions of the 420,000 square foot facility for immediate occupancy.
The southern part of the county is where Jamestown is located, a city that has a strong industrial base, due to the availability of municipal power. As its self-generated and delivered by the city’s public utility, the rates are very competitive. To capitalize on its assets of affordable power, the CCIDA recently acquired 66 acres of shovel ready land in Mason Business Park. With ample water and sewer capacity at the site, this is a prime development opportunity.
Another fact about Jamestown is that it’s the birthplace of legendary comedienne Lucille Ball. Her legacy can be followed at the Museum & Center for Comedy dedicated in her honor. For an up close and personal experience, a visit to the Lucy statues is always a required stop in Chautauqua County.
With the industrial real estate vacancy rate in the Buffalo metro at a historical low, Invest Buffalo Niagara looks to our county partners to find alternative product for our clients. As Chautauqua County’s inventory is close to the Buffalo metro, has buildings meant for advanced manufacturing and easily accessible with two interstate highways running through the county, it makes it an attractive option. Contact Invest Buffalo Niagara to learn more.