County Legislature approves measure supporting joint JCC/YMCA New Athletic Complex project...
A joint project to build a new Jamestown Community College -- YMCA Athletic Complex where the current complex is located has gotten the support of the Chautauqua County Legislature. Lawmakers in Mayville last night approved a resolution to include funding for the project in the State University of New York's 2025-26 executive budget. Prior to the vote... JCC President Daniel DeMarte laid out the combined $43-million to $45-million effort. Dr. DeMarte says the project is a "unique collaboration between two organizations with complimentary missions." He says, if the two projects were to be done by each separately... they would cost about $70-million. DeMarte was joined in making the presentation by YMCA Interim Chief Executive Officer John Barber for the half-hour presentation and Q-&-A. Jamestown Democrat Tom Nelson says... while this a Jamestown project... it will benefit many from across Chautauqua County... because for many of them... their children and even grandchildren take advantage of the JCC and YMCA facilities. The resolution supporting SUNY including funding for the project in it's budget was adopted, 16-1.
Legislature approves creating special committee to review recommendations from jail survey-study...
The Chautauqua County Legislature has approved a resolution to form a special committee to review a report detailing an evaluation of the needs of the County Jail in Mayville. Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon says he and Sheriff Jim Quattrone suggested who will be part of that committee... to review those needs and where they go with the report. One of those committee members will be Legislature Minority Leader Robert Bankoski of Dunkirk. The Democrat says the committee will take several tours of the jail over the course of several months to get a good look at the facilities... and, what kind of updates need to be made if any. The legislature last night approved the resolution to create the panel, 17-0... with two lawmakers absent.
CCIDA Board approves new incentives package for Wells' expansion, and loan for new equipment for Artone...
The Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency has approved a package of incentives to help Well Enterprises' plans to build a new, state-of-the-art complex to produce it's ice cream and frozen novelty products. In addition... IDA officials say the project will help create about 270 new jobs. IDA Chief Executive Officer Mark Geise says the incentives include a Payment In Lieu of Taxes agreement... and Sales Tax Exemption... which will assist the company with the construction of its new facility in Dunkirk. Geise says this latest round of CCIDA incentives follows two previous rounds of incentives. When combined... he says all three phases result in Wells adding the 270 jobs, and retaining about 380 full-time jobs. In addition to it's previously announced redevelopment effort earlier this year... Wells announced construction of the new facility... a $133,000 square foot, segregated compojnd facility for a new chocolate plant... and, will increase their production space. The third-phase of the expansion is projected to cost $175-million and add 20 new jobs by 2030.
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In other action at the IDA's November board meeting... a low-interest loan of $240,000 was approved for Artone Manufacturing on Allen Street in Jamestown. Geise says the loan will be used to assist the company with the purchase of new equipment for a total cost of $600,000. The rate and term for the loan was 4% for six years. Artone manufactures furniture for the hospitality industry and earlier this year the company celebrated 50 years in business.
Jamestown man arrested following westside domestic incident...
A city man faces a pair of charges following a domestic incident... for allegedly becoming combative with arresting officers Tuesday night on Jamestown's westside. City police say they responded to the unidentified address about 9:30 p.m. and found 25 year-old Adrian Melo-Estrada inside the home. Estrada was advised that he had an active arrest warrant for a domestic dispute that occurred earlier in the day. He tried to run away and became combative. After a brief struggle... Estrada was taken into custody without further incident. He was charged with Felony first-degree criminal contempt... and, resisting arrest.
City announces new, Home Decorating-Lighting Contest...
For the first time in many years... there will be a contest for the best outside Christmas lights and decorations in each ward of the city of Jamestown during the holiday season. That from Mayor Kim Ecklund... who recently outlined the contest for City Council members. Ecklund says people will have a chance to submit entries beginning this coming Sunday, Nov. 24, and, running through Dec. 14. She says voting on the favorites begins the following day... Dec. 15 through Dec. 21. Ecklund says the winner in each ward will receive a $100 ShopCHQ gift card from the county chamber... and, adds that anyone can nominate a home for the contest... and, adds there's still time with the recent weather to get those decorations up. She expressed appreciation to resident Missy Paterniti for suggesting the idea. Ecklund says all city residents are encouraged to participate. To enter, submit a high-quality photo of your decorated home along with the address via email to lights@jamestownny.gov... or by mail City Hall, 200 East Third St. Attn: Holiday Lights, Jamestown, NY 14701. Again... entry submission is open from Nov. 24 to Dec. 14. The winners will be announced on Monday, Dec. 23.
