Mark Geise, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency CEO, led the agency to unprecedented activity in 2023, resulting in $842 million in total project value, first among all economic development agencies in Western New York. (Submitted photo)
JAMESTOWN, NY – The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) was the top ranking economic development agency in Western New York State for 2023. That’s according to Buffalo Business First, which provided a list of the region’s top economic development agencies in its July 12, 2024 issue.
According to Business First, it’s the first time the CCIDA has landed in the No. 1 spot (out of seven) on the publication’s ranking of the economic development agencies in Buffalo and Western New York. At the end of 2023, the CCIDA reported a total of $842 million worth of deals brokered. Not only was it the largest total of any agency in Western New York, but also the largest single-year total ever reported by CCIDA in its 51 years of operation.
In addition, the CCIDA was involved with 34 different projects in 2023, more than any other economic development agency operating out of the Western New York region.
“2023 was unprecedented in terms of the breadth and size of projects assisted by the CCIDA, as well as job retention and creation,” said Mark Geise, Deputy Chautauqua County Executive for Economic Development and Chief Executive Officer of the CCIDA. “It is my opinion that our economic development team, which includes the County Department of Planning & Development, the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth, and community partners, is unparalleled not just in Western New York, but across New York State. I am grateful that Buffalo Business First has recognized the CCIDA in this fashion, and I’m grateful to our staff, board, consultants, and other partners for everything they do.”
As first reported in January in its 2023 Annual Report, some of the key projects the CCIDA assisted included: $452 million Cummins Engine Internal Expansion; $250 million Wells Ice Cream Plant Expansion; Weber Knapp Purchase by Local Ownership ($21.4 million); Purchase and Development of lithium-ion Battery Manufacturer Electrovaya ($42.5 million); and the acquisition of the Conagra/CCIDA Facility in Dunkirk by Refresco to create a Northeastern US Distribution Center ($13 million). In all, a total of 34 different projects benefited from support by the CCIDA.
“I am thrilled with the work being undertaken by the CCIDA and the extended economic development team, which includes the Partnership for Economic Growth and the County Department of Planning & Development,” said Chautauqua County Executive Paul “PJ” Wendel. “I commend Mark Geise and the County/CCIDA team for their laser focus on Chautauqua County’s upward trajectory. As I’ve said many times since the pandemic hit us, our comeback will be greater than our setback, and the CCIDA’s 2023 tally of accomplishments has proven this sentiment to be true. This is truly an amazing achievement, considering the population of Chautauqua County compared to our larger neighbors.”
The CCIDA’s top-ranking dollar amount is a 59% increase from the $500 million reported in 2022, when it ranked second on the Business First list. The other top five Western New York economic development agencies in 2023 were Invest Buffalo Niagara, Erie County IDA, Genesee County Economic Development Center, and County of Cattaraugus IDA.
“Once again, our collective development team was able to knock it out of the park, which is due to the unwavering dedication of an extremely capable staff, volunteer board members, community stakeholders, and volunteers. I vow that we will continue to be aggressive and intentional as we advance the ball as it relates to economic development, thereby creating and retaining good jobs for families throughout the County,” Geise said.
About CCIDA - The CCIDA is an economic development organization authorized and empowered by the State of New York to make Chautauqua County a better place to work, live, and visit. It facilitates development by attracting new businesses, while promoting the retention and expansion of existing businesses. Assistance in the form of incentives – tax abatements, low interest loans, and bond financing – enhances the opportunities for job creation and retention by our businesses. For more information visit ChooseCHQ.com.
