The Irish Brothers present their request for downtown event funding to the Jamestown Local Development Corporation (February 15, 2023)

Over $105,000 in grants and loans have been approved for four downtown events.

The Jamestown Local Development Corporation heard presentations from five organizations, tabling one at its monthly meeting Wednesday.

Funding approved includes:

– $9,500 for the Irish Brothers to appear at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on March 15,
– $10,000 for Roger Tory Peterson Institute‘s two-day presentation of the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in April
– $49,970 for the 2023 Whirlybird Festival in July that includes $24,900 in grants and a $25,000 loan
– and $35,700 for four Earlybird concerts that includes $10,700 in grants and a $25,000 loan.

A $42,500 request from St. Susan Center to bring in CashCab’s Ben Bailey for a Trivia Night fundraiser was tabled, with JLDC members requesting additional information about the space for the event.

The JLDC Board also approved funding eight businesses under the Business Expansion and Building Acquisition (BEBA) Grant program. City Council allocated $750,000 in American Rescue Plan monies for the program with $749,980 in requests received.

Department of Development Grant Manager Tim O’Dell said the businesses receiving funds have promised to create 40 full time jobs and 18 part-time positions, “To mention as well, the contracts, if approved they would be signing as structured as a 50% grant and 50% forgivable loan. The forgivable loan portion comes into as they will need to meet their employment goal. And if not, they will have until December 31, 2026 in order to obtain that goal. And if they weren’t to obtain that goal, they would pay half of it that was the loan portion if the jobs were not met.”

The eight businesses who were approved funding are:
– The Beer Snob – $60,000
– BW Wholesale Florist – $83,335
– Falcon Acquisitions – $93,480
– Fringe Hair Salon – $58,500
– It’s Your Day – $64,000
– Labyrinth Press Company – $114,855
– Panache – $167,105
– and Summit Wealth Management – $108,705

Building Acquisition & Business Expansion Grant funded Companies

Jamestown Economic Development Coordinator Stephanie Wright shared that 54 businesses were notified directly about the grant program with 19 declining to apply.

O’Dell said they heard from the Small Business Development Center that often businesses don’t have the time to invest in the application process, “And they don’t want to go to a commitment like that, as it’s a very long project in when the American Rescue Plan ends. And we’ve also run into instances where either they’re just not interested, they do not want to participate, as well as some businesses do not want to get involved in government programs.”

O’Dell said the Department is working with SBDC and the Chamber of Commerce on getting out the word on the next set of business grant programs. He said SBDC also will help businesses complete the grant applications.

The grant applications for Labyrinth, Panache, and Summit Wealth Management will now appear under new business on City Council’s voting agenda on Monday, February 27. Any grant that exceeds $100,000 must also receive council approval to move forward.

The City of Jamestown Department of Development opened the application process today, June 1, with applications being accepted through June 30.

American Rescue Plan monies are being used to fund the program that can give residents up to $25,000 to make roof, sewer lateral or water line repairs or replacements. City Council approved $750,000 for the program.

Homeowners must have lived in the property for at least one year and have no outstanding code violations other than the roof or sewer line issues.

A grant program for Business Building and Property Infrastructure Improvement also had its application process open today. $500,000 was approved for that program. Businesses can apply for funding for essential building systems including roof repairs, elevator repairs, property renovations to improve traffic patterns, drainage solutions and repairs, and other repairs deemed necessary to support day-to-day operations.

Awards to businesses will be structured as 50% grant and 50% forgivable loan. Awards will assist with up to 75% of the total project costs in amounts not to exceed $200,000. A minimum of 25% of the total project costs will be the responsibility of the applicant.

Director of Development Crystal Surdyk said in communications that they an anticipate funds to go quickly due to significant need in the community.

For more information, visit https://www.jamestownny.gov/departments/department-of-development/ or contact Economic Development Coordinator Stephanie Wright at 716-483-7654 or wright@jamestownny.gov.

Top – International Ordnance Technologies President and Owner Tammy Snyder presents to Jamestown Local Development Corporation.
Bottom – Whirly Bird Festival Organizer Miki Girts presents to JLDC

The Jamestown Local Development Corporation heard downtown programming funding requests for Whirlybird Festival and a loan request from International Ordnance Technologies at its monthly meeting Wednesday.

IOT Owner and President Tammy Snyder presented her request of a $90,000 loan to repair a heat-treat furnace which had broken down. IOT manufactures machine gun links.

City Economic Development Coordinator Stephanie Wright said with the furnace being operational, it will allow IOT to close on a multi-million dollar contract with a nationally recognized company, “To produce a much needed link. And IOT will be equipped to pursue a product line with two other nationally recognized companies. And these new contracts will create at least seven new positions, high quality, high paying jobs, full-time jobs at IOT.”

IOT currently employs 35 people at its facility on Harrison Street. The loan is for 7 years at a rate of 4%. IOT has also requested $90,000 from the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency.

Whirlybird Festival Organizer Miki Girts requested $38,700 in funding with $12,500 of that being an upfront loan for an actual grant request of $26,200.

He said the money would help fund four days of free entertainment downtown that includes live music, live art demonstrations, comedy, and art vendors. The event will take place at the Wintergarden Plaza on North Main Street as well as several indoor locations from August 10 through 13. Around 35 acts are currently scheduled for the festival.

No action was taken at the meeting on either request as there was not a quorum. Jamestown Director of Development Crystal Surdyk anticipated that the board would take action by Friday, April 22.

Jamestown Local Development Corporation meeting. (Far Right) Falcon Conveyor Owner Scott Clark

A new manufacturer of steel belt conveyors is planning on opening in the City of Jamestown.

Falcon Conveyor will receive a $93,750 loan from the Jamestown Local Development Corporation as part of a $472,500 financing package. That package also includes $50,000 from the Zone Capital Corporation and a requested $154,000 loan from the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency.

City Economic Development Coordinator Stephanie Wright said Falcon Conveyor Owner Scott Clark purchased 111 Cheney Street, which is a five-story brick building in the city. He comes to the area after working in the material handling field for over 30 years, with 27 of those in the conveyor industry.

She said Clark was attracted by Jamestown’s low cost of living and the space available in the building, “He’s going to be able to test these conveyors before he sends them out to the clients which is almost unheard of. Right now, everything is made and then sent out in hopes that it’s going to work but now he’s actually going to be able to build them, try them, and then send them out. And he’s also working on some patents that is going to improve the efficiency of these conveyors.”

Wright said over 20 manufacturing jobs are expected to be created with the company.