Developers' Forum Draws Hundreds to Downtown Jamestown

More than 100 business leaders, developers, and others were hand for Wednesday's start to the City of Jamestown's inaugural Developers' Forum. The event at Wicked Warren's on West 3rd Street was geared towards matching up developers with unused commercial, retail or residential spaces. Mayor Kim Ecklund provided opening remarks and highlighted one project that focuses on development along the Chadakoin River...

Kim Ecklund: Chadakoin River Basin Activation Project

One of the main speakers was Empire State Development (ESD) Regional Director Karen Utz, who generally discussed their grant, loan and other programs available to developers. Utz described ESD's historic pillars, which include supporting businesses that send product out of state or the country...

Karen Utz: a priority for us

Utz said she couldn't talk in many specifics because the new state budget has not been finalized yet. However, she adds that ESD will be in Chautauqua County and Jamestown several times in the coming month. In particular, Utz said the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council will hold its August 21st meeting at the National Comedy Center.

Photo by the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency