SKF Aeroengine

The bearing manufacturer, located in Falconer, will use the funds to purchase new machinery and equipment that focuses on implementing new manufacturing technology and continued development of high skilled technical careers.

According to a press release from ESD, the company will invest in small bearing manufacturing, cage manufacturing and roller manufacturing improvements, targeting improved efficiency, and building towards new technology needed to support future development programs within the Aerospace.

The award announcement came as part of $24 million grants being awarded to 28 shovel-ready priority projects in New York State through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

A member of TRC workforce helps to assemble a mask that will be used at SKF in Falconer.

JAMESTOWN [MEDIA RELEASE] – SKF Aerospace recently expressed a need to the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) to purchase masks for its 500 production staff due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the CCIDA had become aware that The Resource Center (TRC) was mass-producing fabric masks. In response to SKF’s request, the CCIDA contacted TRC on SKF’s behalf and was directed to contact Bruce Theuret, General Manager at Support Enterprises, Inc.

As a result of this connection, SKF Aerospace Factory Manager Robert Massaro contacted Support Enterprises (a sister company to The Resource Center) to design a “break away capable” fabric mask with Velcro fasteners to prevent injury from plant equipment.  The initial contact, prototype development, and mask testing were all accomplished in less than one day.  This culminated in SKF placing an order for 1,000 of the newly-designed masks.

“When I received the call from SKF, I was thrilled that we could help,” said Theuret. “Any time we can work with a local company to assist with the production of any type of sewn product, especially during this challenging time, it is great thing as we keep people employed and keep our business dollars local. This is a win-win for both organizations. Support Enterprises, as well as our sister company, The Resource Center, stand ready to meet the mask needs of any other local businesses.  I greatly appreciate the assistance the CCIDA provided in facilitating the connection between Support Enterprises and SKF.”

“I’m glad that our team at the CCIDA could facilitate this connection, resulting in two great companies helping each other,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CEO of the CCIDA. “We intend to continue to make these connections now and after the COVID-19 crisis secedes.”

“In the end, despite all the skills we teach the developmentally disabled, we are taught much more about life from them,” said Theuret.

County Executive PJ Wendel, who has been at the forefront of the pandemic, said, “Not only is a local company producing much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE), but its selling them to a local company who is in full production and is being prudent about the health and safety of its workforce. This is a great story of businesses in our community working together!”

Massaro said, “We are glad to find a local resource for our masks, and a responsive one at that. In this transaction, we got a needed commodity fast, while local citizens have genuine work to stay employed. This is good for everyone.”

About Support Enterprises

Support Enterprises is a for-profit corporation that was spun-off of The Resource Center, a nonprofit organization. Its core values include a commitment to helping those in the community who face adversity in their lives. It believes that everyone should have the ability to prove themselves and to live with dignity. This is not just a Western New York value or an American value, but a deeply human value. When possible, Support Enterprises sub-contracts with The Resource Center to employ the developmentally disabled. In addition, a portion of its profits support the various missions of The Resource Center and The Resource Center’s Foundation.

About SKF

The SKF Aeroengine North America business unit is a leader in high precision, custom-engineered ball and roller bearings for critical aeroengine and specialty applications, including ball and roller bearings for helicopters, main shaft and gearboxes for jet engines, and various types of aircraft power assemblies.

About the 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, visit, and conduct business. The organization 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 for our businesses.  For more information, visit www.ccida.com.

Image from Google Street View

JAMESTOWN – Public art could soon be coming to the Washington Street Bridge Barrett Ave. connector  in Jamestown.

On Monday night representatives from GA Family Services appeared before the Jamestown City Council to share their proposal for a mural for the street wall at the Barrett St. Exit off of Washington St.

Billy Torres is group facilitator for the Accountability and Responsibility Program at GA Family Services. He told members of the city council that the organization is seeking a use of occupancy permit and a highway work permit from the state that would allow for the mural project to go forward. He said the organization is seeking an endorsement from the city council to secure both.

“We’d like to see if the city would have interest in supporting project and signing a partnership agreement, covering the annual fee of having the mural on the wall,” Torres said, adding that the city’s share of the cost would only be $1 while GA Family Services would cover the bulk of the cost, which he said is several hundred dollars.

“It’s 180 by 26 feet and we have numerous partners and everybody is excited about it. It’s a highly anticipated project.. we’ve gotten great feedback from the state,” Torres said. “If this were to happen the permit we’d only have a about five weeks to work on it.”

Torres also said that if permission is granted, the plan would be to commission a local artist to design a mural focusing on the four seasons of Chautauqua County, with GA students and other volunteers helping to paint.

The cost of the project would be covered by GA Family Services, along with support from various partners and volunteers. The any upkeep cost for the mural, once completed, would also be covered by GA Family Services.

Erica Garcia, GA Family Services Accountability and Responsibility Program Manger, said current community partners for the project include the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, the Prendergast Library, Chautauqua Tapestry, SPOA, Jamestown High School, Jamestown Community College, SKF, and local churches.

In other news from Monday night’s meeting, Mayor Sam Teresi and City Development Director Vince DeJoy updated the council on an effort to secure state funding for a project to illuminate the Jamestown Riverwalk. The project would cost $400,000. Officials are hoping that 50 percent of the funding can be covered by the state’s Consolidated Funding Application program,  and the other half from local foundations. More details on that project will provided during the WRFA’s Wednesday morning news update.

Bill Daly

JAMESTOWN – The man in charge of economic development in Chautauqua County is retiring later this spring.

Chautauqua County Planning and Economic Development Director Bill Daly – who also serves as the executive director of the county industrial development agency – will be retiring on May 31.

The announcement was made by County Executive Vince Horrigan in a media release that was sent out Monday afternoon. In the release, Horrigan said that Daly notified him of the decision over the weekend. Daly, who is 65 years old, became director on Jan. 1, 2006, after being appointed by then-County Executive Greg Edwards.

As IDA director over the past 8 years, Daly has overseen 54 Business Loans in excess of $14 million, closed on 20 PILOTS with annual tax payments of $11 million and issued $103 million in tax exempt bonds supporting 5 projects valued at over $235 million. According to Horrigan’s media release, the impact of the economic benefits has retained thousands of jobs, brought in hundreds of new jobs, and leveraged over $500 million in private investment in Chautauqua County.

Daly and his department was also criticized in the 2013 county executive race, when democratic candidate Ron Johnson claimed that more than 7,000 jobs were lost in Chautauqua County during his time as executive director of the IDA. As Director of the Chautauqua County Department of Planning and Economic Development, Daly successfully guided the development of award-winning New York State plans such as the County’s Comprehensive plan —Chautauqua 20/20, and the Chautauqua County Greenways Plan, plus the Chautauqua Lake Watershed Management Plan and the Macrophyte Management Strategy.

However, Daly was also involved with keeping several businesses in the area, including the SKF Aeroengine plant, the Weber-Knapp plant and most recently, working on a PILOT agreement with the NRG power plant in Dunkirk.

Horrigan said that he will be looking region-wide for the next director of the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency and that the county will most likely need to hire an interim director until the position is filled.