Community Spotlight for Mar. 29-Apr. 4, 2026

This week... News Director Terry Frank speaks with Deputy Chautauqua County Executive Mark Geise about several topics, including the recent announcement that Refresco will no longer be taking Concord Grapes from local farmers -- due largely to the ongoing drop in demand. Geise says they are looking at three different places that could possibly take at least some of the grapes, including AgraAmerica in Fredonia... along with Westfield Made on Route 20... and the Grower's Co-Op -- just west of Westfield. County Executive P-J Wendel says they've also been talking to FeedMore Western New York about a deal to ship grapes to them for local food pantries. We also discuss the Industrial Development Agency's 2025 Annual Report... which showed a total of 10 projects the IDA supported with grant funding, and Payment in Lieu of Tax Agreements. He says they totaled about 85-million and created 639 jobs... nearly 600 of those temporary construction jobs. However... Geise says that 243 jobs were being retained. Many of those will be with Maplevale Farms... which agreed to stay in the area at a new facility being built in the Findley Lake area for nearly 42-million. He adds one project that was completed was the rebuilding of the White Inn in Fredonia... and a grand opening was held last year at the facility.