Dear
Prospective Residents, Developers, and Employers,
Thankyouforyourinterestinlearning aboutChautauquaCounty,NewYork. Thefollowingpageswillgiveyouan ideaofouraffordablequalityoflife whereyoucanchoosefromavariety oflifestyles.Whetherowningahome onornearoneofour昀椀vemagni昀椀cent lakes,inthequietcountryside,orin acityorvillagesetting,ChautauquaCounty has housing options to 昀椀t any budget. There is something here to suit everyone’s needs from our resurgent cities of Dunkirk and Jamestown, to our quaint villages like Fredonia, Lakewood, West昀椀eld, and many others. We also have many lakeside communities and scenic countryside towns.
ChautauquaCountyhasawiderangeofrecreational activitiesandspecialeventsthroughouttheyeartosatisfy themanyinterestsofourresidentsandvisitors.Asa four-seasondestination,wehaveskiresorts,scenichiking trails,snowmobiletrails,equestriantrails,andcycling routesthroughoutourcommunities,alongwithswimming, boating,and昀椀shingopportunitiesonournumerouslakes andwaterways.OurcountyisalsohometotheNational ComedyCenterinJamestown,therenownedChautauqua Institution,andagricultureandagri-tourismindustries includingcraftbrewerieslikeSouthernTierBrewing Company,and11wineries(9ofwhichareaward-winning) ofLakeErieWineCountry.
OurcountyisconvenientlylocatedbetweenBuffalo, NewYorkandErie,Pennsylvania,andiswithinashort drivingdistancetoothermajorcitiesincludingCleveland, Pittsburgh,andToronto,Canada.Here,youcanhavean appealingsmall-townlifestylewithalowcostofliving, accesstoexcellentschoolsandqualityhealthcareservices, andstillbewithinashortdriveofmajorcitiesandthe additionalattractionstheyoffer.
Ihopethisguidehelpsintroduceyoutoourgreat county,andIlookforwardtowelcomingyoutoourwellbalancedwayoflife.
Sincerely,
Paul M. Wendel Jr.
Chautauqua County Executive
OnbehalfofChautauquaCounty, Iwouldliketowelcomeyoutoour amazingcornerofWesternNewYork. Ascommunitystakeholders,wefeltit wasnecessarytodevelopapackage tobehandedouttocontractors, potentialemployees,developers, visitors,andanyotherindividualsthat arenotfamiliarwithallthatourcommunityhastooffer.As youwillsee,thiscompendiumprovidesinformationabout thecharacterandlocationofcommunityamenities,events, placestorecreateandspendleisuretime,theindustries locatedhere,aswellasinformationaboutschools,costof living,andhousing.
Whetheryouareinterestedinstartingabusiness, locatinghereforthemultitudeofavailablejobswith family-sustainingwages,purchasingahome,orjust visiting,ChautauquaCountyhastheresourcestodeliveran amazingexperience.Asyouspendtimehere,Iamcertain youwillappreciateourresidents,naturalandcultural attractions,andwelcomingbusinessclimate.
Iinviteyoutoimagineliving,working,playing,anddoing businessinouruniquecommunity.Whenyouareready totakeaction,pleasecontacttheCountyofChautauqua IndustrialDevelopmentAgencyforassistanceinplanning yournextsteps.PleaseletmeknowifthereisanythingIcan doforyoupersonally.
Best
Regards, Mark Geise
Deputy County Executive for Economic Development/ Chief Executive Of昀椀cer of the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency
716.661.8900
TableofContents
BALANCED LIFE WELL
Welcome to Chautauqua Coun — an a ordable, accessible, naturally beautiful place to live, work, play, laugh, and learn all year long.
Take a closer look at New York’s far western region. As a predominantly rural community, Chautauqua County offers a unique blend of cultural, historical, educational, and recreational attractions coupled with an environment primely suited to start, build, or expand a business or 昀椀nd employment. The cost of living here is 25 percent less than the national average, and well-paying jobs with advanced manufacturers are readily available. The unemployment rate is low, while resources for training and workforce development are exceptional. This combination creates the opportunity for residents, business owners, and employees of all skill levels to live a wellrounded and ful昀椀lling lifestyle.
Ifyoulikewhatyousee,pleasecontacttheCountyofChautauquaIndustrial DevelopmentAgency(CCIDA)orChautauquaCountyPartnershipfor EconomicGrowth(CCPEG).CCIDAisaneconomicdevelopmentorganization authorizedandempoweredbytheStateofNewYorktomakeChautauqua Countyabetterplacetolive,work,visit,andconductbusiness.CCPEGisan initiativeoftheChautauquaRegionEconomicDevelopmentCorporation (CREDC)thatbringstogetherpublicandprivateleaderstofocuson county-wideandregionaleconomicdevelopment.Call716.661.8900orvisit ChooseCHQ.comforassistanceinmakingyournextmove.
LOCATED LIFE WELL ‘‘
After昀氀yingaroundtheworld towritearticlesfora昀椀shing magazine,Icomehomeandam remindedofhowfortunatewe aretohaveworld-class昀椀shing opportunitiesinourbackyards.
Alberto Rey
Artist, Educator,
Fly Fishing Guide
Connected to the Northeast, Midwest, and Southern Ontario
It has often been stated that Chautauqua County is a great place to meet and connect. While typically used in reference to travel and recreation, it also denotes its strategic position for business and industry, which is centrally located between several major metropolitan areas and at the juncture of commerce routes.
Asthewestern-mostcountyinNewYorkState,ChautauquaCountyisborderedby LakeErietothenorth,Pennsylvaniatothewestandsouth,andtheSenecaNation ofIndians,thegreaterBuffalometropolitanarea,andtheSouthernTierregionto theeast.Thecountyissituatedwithinaday’sdriveofmostofthemajorpopulation centersofthenortheasternUnitedStatesandthesouthernCanadianprovince ofOntario,andiswellservedbythetransportationcorridorsthatconnectthe NortheastwiththeMidwest.Inadditiontobeingcrossedbytwomajorinterstates (I-90andI-86),thecountyalsoincludesanetworkofotherstateandfederal highwaysandwell-maintainedcountyroads,providingfastandeasyaccessto everycommunity.Railroadscrossthroughthesouthernandnortheasternportion thecounty.GeneralaviationairportsarelocatedinbothJamestownandDunkirk, whicharefrequentlyusedbyavarietyofbusinessesandprivatecharterservices.
CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY BY THE NUMBERS
124,891 POPULATION
LAND AREA
1,062 SQUARE MILES
AVERAGE WINTER TEMPERATURE
33
AVERAGE ANNUAL SNOWFALL
120” LARGEST CITY Jamestown
POPULATION 28,243
Drive Times
AVERAGE COMMUTE
17.5 MINUTES
AVERAGE SUMMER TEMPERATURE
75
ClosestInternational Airports
The Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, just 35 miles from Chautauqua County, serves 31 airport destinations with up to 100 nonstop 昀氀ights per day.
AVERAGE NUMBER OF SUNNY DAYS
159
In nearby Pennsylvania, the Erie International Airport’s Tom Ridge Field is just 26 miles from Chautauqua County offering nonstop 昀氀ights to Charlotte and Orlando with connections to hundreds of destinations.
World-Class Attractions
and Four Distinct
Seasons O er Work-life Balance
Withlakes,rivers,foothills,forests, andfourdistinctseasons,residents ofChautauquaCountyhaveplenty ofopportunitiestoenjoytheir downtime,bothoutdoorsandindoors. Opportunitiesaboundforhardysports enthusiaststotakefulladvantage ofthelakes,slopes,andtrails.For thosewhowanttoappreciateart, history,andculture,therearea widevarietyoftheaters,museums, andresortstochoosefrom.Witha thrivingagriculturalindustrythat supportsfarmersmarkets,awinetrail, breweries,anddistilleries,residents andvisitorsalikecanimmerse themselvesinthelocalfoodandcraft beveragescene.
LIVED LIFE WELL
AYear-RoundDestination
Thecounty’srollinghills,lakes,forests,andrivers supportresortsandgolfcourses,exceptional昀椀shing, watersports,parks,andhundredsofmilesofhiking, biking,andequestriantrails.Inthewinter,lakeeffect snowandtheAlleghenyfoothillsprovideexcellent conditionsfordownhillandcross-countryskiing, snowboarding,andsnowmobiling.
HistoricallySigni昀椀cant
Sincetheearlydaysofitsestablishment in1811,ChautauquaCountyhasbeen atthecrossroadsofhistoryinthearts, education,industry,andinnovation.It isthebirthplaceofLucilleBall,Roger ToryPeterson,RobertH.Jackson,and innovationssuchastheChautauqua Movement,Welch’s昀椀rstgrapejuice plant,andtheiconicCrescentwrench.
NaturallyDiverse
Thecounty’slandscapeisone ofitsgreatestassets,withan elevationthatrangesfrom570 feetalongLakeErieto2,180 feetalongtheChautauqua Ridge.Hereyouwill昀椀nddiverse microclimates,birdmigration routes,numeroustrails throughforestsandmeadows, andplentyoffreshwaterincludingtributarystreams, WesternNewYork’slargest inlandlake,andaccesstothe GreatLakesthrough50milesof LakeErieshoreline.
A Year-Round Destination
ChautauquaCountyisrenownedfor severalattractions—Chautauqua Institution,theLucilleBall-DesiArnaz Museum,theNationalComedy Center,ChautauquaLake,昀氀y-昀椀shing inLakeErie’stributarystreams,and lakeeffectsnowcountry,toname afew.Residentsandthosewho ownasecondhomeinthecounty understandthatwhilesummerishigh seasonfortourists,everymonthofthe yearoffersnewevents,festivals,and placestoexplore.
FourSeasonsofPlay
• Three state parks (Midway, Long Point, and Lake Erie), and three county parks.
•Hundredsofmilesofoverlandtrails,water trails,and Rails-to-Trails for walkers, hikers, cyclists, canoeists,horsebackriders, andsnowmobilers.
• 17,000+ acres of state forest land, and 900 acres of county forest land.
• Hundreds of miles of designated on-road bike routes.
• Excellent 昀椀shing and hunting opportunities.
100,000+
PEOPLEPERSUMMER
visit Chautauqua Institution
NationalComedyCenter
ThestoryofcomedylivesinJamestownattheNational ComedyCenter,whichopenedin2018.Namedoneofthe “Top25FamilyWeekendGetawaysintheUnitedStates” byU.S.News&WorldReport,theNCCisanonpro昀椀tcultural institutionthatcelebratescomedy’sgreatmindsandunique voiceswithexclusivecollectionsandmorethan50 immersiveexhibits,presentedwithcutting-edge,state-ofthe-arttechnology.
ChautauquaInstitution
A unique and charming, Victorian campus-like village founded in 1874, Chautauqua Institution is a designated National Historic Landmark and a National Historic District located along the shores of Chautauqua Lake. Each day during the nine-week summer program season, approximately 7,500 people enjoy the grounds of Chautauqua to attend popular evening entertainment, daily lectures, and workshops that explore important religious, social, and popular political issues of our time. Chautauqua is open to the public year-round, but passes are required during the summer season (excluding Sundays).
LakeErie
Naturally Diverse
FromalowlyingplainalongLake Erieascendinganescarpmentto theAlleghenyPlateau,Chautauqua County’schangesinelevationand landscapeprovideamultitude ofagriculturalandrecreational opportunities.TheEastern ContinentalDividerunsthrough thecounty,makingitpartofboth theSt.LawrenceandGulfofMexico watersheds.Severalareasofthe countyarealsosigni昀椀cantstopover pointsformigratorybirds.
ChautauquaCounty followstheeastern LakeErieshorelinefor approximately50miles, offeringaccesstobeautiful sandybeaches,abundant bassandwalleye昀椀shing locations,andcountless boatingandswimming opportunities.Partofthe “WestCoastoftheEast Coast”,italsoprovides theperfectvantagefor amazingandoftensurreal sunsets.Tributarystreams thatfeedLakeEriehave becomerenownedfortheir steelheadtrout昀椀shing.
LAKESWITH 50MILESOFLAKE ERIESHORELINE
Trails&Parks
ChautauquaCountyisauniqueand adventurousplacetolive.Itboastsa diversityoftrails(morethan600miles!)and scenicparksforhiking,mountainbiking, horsebackriding,andbirding.Meticulously groomedtrailsaremaintainedforcross countryskiing,snowmobiling,andwinter fatbiking.ChautauquaCountyhasmore milesofgroomed,single-trackfatbiketrails thananywhereelseinNewYorkState.Two overlandtrailsoffervisitorsscenicviews andpathsthroughreforestationareas.A connectingRails-to-Trailssystemprovides anadditional24.3milesofabandonedrail corridorswindingthroughscenicwoodlands, wetlands,昀氀oweringmeadows,andvillages. Inadditiontonumerousnavigablelakesand streams,therearetwomaintained25+miles of昀氀atwatertrailstoexplore.Learnmoreat CHQTrails.org.
Chautauqua Lake
WesternNewYork’slargestinlandlake andthecounty’snamesake,Chautauqua Lakestretches 18milesfromMayville toJamestown.Itiswell-knownforbass, walleye,andmusky昀椀shing,andforsailing andboating.Historically,summercottage enclavesdottedmuchoftheshoreline. Today,manyfortunateresidentslivealong thelakeshoreyear-round.
450
MILES OF GROOMED SNOWMOBILE TRAILS
Historically Signi cant
ChautauquaCounty’suniqueand historiccharactercanbeattributed,in part,toitsVictorianheritage,artisan immigrantswhobuiltfurnitureand foundedtoolanddieshops,andto itsnativesonsanddaughterswho’ve broughtinternationalrecognitionto itsvariouscommunities.Thehistoric McClurgMuseuminWest昀椀eld,theD.R. BarkerMuseuminFredonia,theFenton HistoryCenterinJamestown,andthe DunkirkLighthouseallofferexhibits, libraries,andinformationthattell thestoriesofChautauqua’srichand interestingpast.
HISTORIC LIGHTHOUSES
RogerToryPeterson
Prompted by a seventh-grade teacher, a young boy from Jamestown joined a Junior Audubon Club, fell in love with birds, and grew up to become one of the world’s preeminent naturalists. As an artist and photographer, Roger Tory Peterson authored more than 50 昀椀eld guides for plants and animals from North America and around the world. In 1984, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History was founded in his hometown to preserve his lifetime body of work and to educate new generations of naturalists.
The昀椀rstlighthouseever tobelightedbynatural gas(1829)stillstands atBarcelonaHarboron LakeErie.
RobertH.JacksonCenter
ThemissionoftheRobertH.JacksonCenteristoadvance publicawarenessandappreciationoftheprinciplesofjustice andtheruleoflawasembodiedintheachievementsand legacyofRobertH.Jackson,anativesonwho昀椀rstpracticed lawinJamestownandwentontobecomeaU.S.Supreme CourtJusticeandChiefU.S.ProsecutoratNuremberg.
TheJacksonCenterusesitsbeautifulhistoricmansionin Jamestowntohosteducationalprograms,exhibits,and seminarstoadvanceitsmission.
‘‘
OneofthethingsIreallyenjoyabout livingherearethepeople;thereis ahelpfulness,pride,andacan-do attitudeherethatcontributestothis community’sabilitytothrive. WhenImovedhere,someonetold methatifI’meverbored,it’smy ownfault,becauseI’mnotpaying attentiontothemanythingsthere aretodo.Thevarietyofactivities andopportunitiesareastounding.
LucilleBall
PRESIDENT, ROBERT H. JACKSON CENTER
Marion
Beckerink Kristan McMahon
President since 2019, she relocated to Chautauqua County from northern Virginia to take on this role. She is a former principle with Vetted Solutions, an executive search 昀椀rm, and is also a practicing attorney in Washington D.C.
BorninJamestownonAugust6,1911,LucilleDesireeBallbecame oneofthemostrecognizedfacesintheworld.Anactressand comedian,shewasthe昀椀rstwomantoheadamajorHollywood studio,Desilu,whichproducedsomeofthemostbelovedand successfulTVshowsofalltime,includingILoveLucy,StarTrek, MissionImpossible,andTheUntouchables,whilealsoservingas theproductionhubforTheDickVanDykeShow,TheAndyGrif昀椀th Show,ThatGirl,andmanymore.Herlifestory,andthatofher昀椀rst husband,actor,musicianandproducerDesiArnaz,aretoldatthe LucilleBallDesiArnazMuseuminJamestown.
Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Tourism Dominate the Business Landscape
For new as well as established businesses, Chautauqua County offers a strategic geographic location, ground breaking economic development incentives, inexpensive hydro-power, a low-cost of living, and an incredible quality of life. For people seeking employment opportunities, the county boasts a low unemployment rate with living wage jobs available for every skill level. While tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing are the county’s primary industries, a growing number of people are moving to the area and working remotely, or starting their own enterprises.
In order to bolster the economic growth and stability of the county, the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) collaborates with various local, state, and federal partners to offer 昀椀nancial incentives, technical assistance, and business planning.
Agribusiness
Fromgrapesandfruitto cornanddairy,thecounty’s small,localfarmsgrow productsanddeliver servicesthatsupportthe nationalfoodsupply.
Advanced Manufacturing
Manufacturinghasastronghistoryin ChautauquaCounty,fromearlycraftsmen whobuiltfurnitureandtools,totoday’s businessesthatutilizestate-of-the-art technologytoprovidematerialsusedin transportation,medicalsupplies, packaging,industrialtools,and othersectors.
EARNED LIFE WELL
Tourism and Hospitality
Awidevarietyofaccommodations, resorts,andrestaurantsprovide comfortandconveniencefor accessingthecounty’sfour-season recreationalandculturalattractions.
Advanced
Manufacturing
Historically,furnitureandtooland dieshopsdominatedChautauqua County’smanufacturingenvironment. Today,productsandservicesutilizing advancedtechnologyleadthesector, whileapproximately20percentof thecounty’sworkforceisemployedin manufacturing(morethantwicethe stateaverage).
SKF USA Inc.
SKF USA Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of SKF Group, a world leader in high-performance and precision rolling bearings and related technologies for the aerospace industry - including commercial and military jet aircraft and helicopters. Twenty-eight of SKF’s 140 global manufacturing sites are located in the U.S., including a modern heat treating and research & development facility in Falconer.
PremierPrecisionMachining
In October 2018, Premier Precision Machining reopened Rand Machine Products, a custom/build-to-print manufacturing facility in Falconer which has been a 昀椀xture in the community for nearly three quarters of a century. Through strong leadership and signi昀椀cant investments in technology, equipment, people, and facilities, Rand is now positioned to take advantage of both existing and new opportunities in the defense, aerospace, industrial, and commercial arenas. Like many other manufacturers, Rand employs machinists, CNC lathe and mill operators, engineers, quality control CMM operators, and programmers.
‘‘
WeberKnapphasbeena long-timeemployerinthe ChautauquaRegion,providing jobsandcareerstocountless residents.Weareproudtobea partoftheChautauquastory, andlookforwardtocontinuing thatcommitmentintheyears thatlieahead.
Rhonda Johnson and Wayne Rishell
CO-OWNERS OF WEBER KNAPP CO.
JAMESTOWN
Weber Knapp Co. was founded at the turn of the 20th century as a manufacturer of hardware for the furniture industry. Today, the company leads the motion control industry with state-of-the-art spring assisted products.
Jamestown Plastics
Located in a 100,000 square foot plant in Brocton, Jamestown Plastics provides custom thermoforming and packaging solutions for a wide range of industries including medical devices, aerospace, defense, electronics, consumer goods, and automotive. They are ISO certi昀椀ed and known for their rapid turnaround and creative solutions. Their Clickit-Clam design has revolutionized traditional clamshell packaging.
Cummins Engine
CumminsJamestownEnginePlantin Lakewoodhasalonghistoryofproviding exceptionalcareeropportunities.First openedin1974,CumminsJEPhascontinued toremaincommittedtopartneringwith localcommunitiestomakeChautauqua Countyaprosperousareawhereits employeesandfamiliescanthrive.In2023, CumminssecureditsfutureinChautauqua Countybyannouncinga$452million investmentinitsLakewoodplant,allowing theplanttoproducenewengineblock platformsthatcanoperateusinghydrogen orbiogasfuels.
ImmunityBio, Inc.
Inearly2022,thisclinical-stage immunotherapycompanymovedintoa newstate-of-the-artbiotechproduction facilitythatincludescleanroomsfor upstreamanddownstreammanufacturing activities,aswellas昀椀ll,昀椀nish,andlargescalelyophilizationcapabilities.The full-scalefacilitywillenableImmunityBioto substantiallyexpandanddiversifyitsexisting manufacturingcapacityintheU.S.and throughitsstrategiccollaboratorsinAfrica. Theyplantoaddasigni昀椀cantnumberof newjobswithinthenext昀椀veyears.
Agribusiness
ChautauquaCountyhastwo distinctmicroclimatesthatsupport agricultureandfoodprocessing businesses,animportantsegment ofthecounty’seconomy.The microclimatealongLakeErieand theAlleghenyescarpmentsupports grapeandfruitfarming.Atopthe AlleghenyPlateau,theuplandsare utilizedfor昀椀eldcropsandgrasslands.
1,291
FARMSINCHAUTAUQUACOUNTY*
Ourfarmsfocusondairyproductionandgrowavariety ofcrops,including:vegetables,fruittrees,grapes, andgrains.Combined,ourfarmersandgrowershelp ChautauquaCountyranksecondinNewYorkStatefor totalnumberoffarms.Furthermore,the332grapefarms, operating17,040acres,comprisethelargestfruitandnut industryinthestate.
*asof2023
ACRESOFGRAPES
17,040 makesChautauquaCounty thelargestgrapegrowing regioninthecountryoutside ofCalifornia.
Refresco
Refresco is the world’s largest independent bottler for retailers and branded beverage companies in Europe and North America, employing more than 400 people in Dunkirk. With a fruit processing facility and six lines of production running three shifts, Refresco’s Dunkirk plant produces multiple types of beverages in a variety of packaging formats and sizes. Their vision is “Our Drinks on Every Table” and they take pride in providing quality bottling and packaging solutions.
Nestle Purina
Purina is a global pet care leader dedicated to helping pets live longer, healthier lives through science-based nutrition and care. Dunkirk is home to one of Purina’s 20 manufacturing sites across the U.S. where they produce high-quality and trusted Purina pet food brands including Purina ONE, Purina Pro Plan, Busy, and Dog Chow. Purina’s 370 associates in Dunkirk are committed to the well-being and welfare of pets and people beyond the food bowl, with focused efforts to support their local community and reduce their environmental impact.
Farmers’ Markets
ChautauquaCountyresidentsenjoya strongfarm-to-tablemovement.There areamultitudeoffarmers’markets locatedthroughoutthecounty,where onecan“buylocal”andsupportour localgrowersandproducers.Community SupportedAgriculture(CSA)programs, farmstores/markets,androadside standscanallbefoundhere-each committedtosellinglocalproducts. Avarietyofresources-including ChautauquaGrown,CornellCooperative ExtensionofChautauquaCounty,and EdibleWNY-alsohelppromoteourlocal growersandproducers.
Wells Enterprises, Inc.
Wells is the largest privately held, familyowned ice cream and frozen treat manufacturer in the United States. They are most known as the makers of Blue Bunny Ice Cream. Other brands include Halo Top, the iconic Bomb Pop, and Blue Ribbon Classics. Recently purchased by Ferraro in Italy, the company announced in 2024 it would essentially replace their old facility in Dunkirk and build a new state-of-the-art complex on the current site in order to produce ice cream and frozen novelty products, including chocolate. Once completed, the project will create approximately 270 new jobs.
Tourism and Hospitali
TourisminNewYorkStatehasan annualimpactofover$100billion, reachingarecordof$123billion in2022.Thisgrowthtrendisno differentinChautauquaCounty, wheretourismcreatesa$294million economicimpactandrevenue fromaccommodationsexperienced doubledigitgrowthinrecentyears. Thepeakmonthsforvisitorrevenue inChautauquaCountyareJune,July, andAugust.However,signi昀椀cantly increasedoccupancyratesare startingtopointtogrowing“shoulder seasons”inboththespring(May)and fall(SeptemberandOctober).
50+
EVENTS
HeldinJamestowninearlyAugust,theannualLucilleBall ComedyFestivalfeaturesmorethan50eventsand30 artists,andattractsmorethan13,000visitorsfromacross theUnitedStates.JerrySeinfeld,NateBargatze,Trevor Noah,LilyTomlin,JohnMulaney,TaylorTomlinson,Gabriel “Fluffy”Iglesias,SebastianManiscalco,JimGaf昀椀gan, MargaretCho,EllenDeGeneres,andLewisBlackhaveall takenthestageduringthefestival.
Chautauqua Harbor Hotel
Opened in 2018, the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel is located at the south end of Chautauqua Lake in the village of Celoron and provides 135 upscale hotel rooms overlooking the water. Occupying a nine-acre site that features 1,100 feet of lakefront, the hotel has expanded the county’s tourism industry signi昀椀cantly by attracting lakeside vacationers, wedding and celebration groups, and corporate and conference guests.
Campgrounds
Fromsecludedwoodlandstolakesidelocations,Chautauqua County’scampgroundsprovidethesettingforlifelong memories–withgreatoptionsforRV,tent,cabin,andcottage camping.Amenitiesincludeswimmingpools,boatandcanoe rentals,picnicandrecreationareas,playgrounds,昀椀repits, beaches,activities,electrichookups,internet,dumpingstations, andmore.Severalcampgroundsoffernightlyandweeklysites aswellasseasonalorpermanentsites.
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ChautauquaCounty’sstrengthintheartsand educationcomesfromarichdiversity ofresourcesandatirelessspiritof collaborationthatbringoperatoabrew house,world-classmusicianstocountless highschoolclassrooms,andShakespeare toourparks.Andwe’veonlyscratchedthe surfaceofwhat’spossible.
Peek‘n Peak Resort
Founded as a ski destination in 1964 with six trails and two lifts, Peek’n Peak has grown into a resort with a world-class golf course that hosted the PGA’s Web.com Tour from 2016–2018. Peek’n Peak also offers an aerial course and ziplines, miniature golf, biking, and Segway tours. During the winter, the resort is transformed into a winter wonderland with Alpine and Nordic skiing, terrain parks, and snow tubing. The Inn at the Peak, a charming oldworld chalet, boasts 108 guest rooms, conference and meeting rooms, restaurant, day spa, 昀椀tness center, indoor/outdoor hot tub, indoor and outdoor pools, and 115’ water slide. The Peek is well-known for its annual Fall Fest held during two weekends in October, which often attracts 10,000+ visitors daily.
Michael E. Hill PRESIDENT, CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION
Low cost housing, quali healthcare, and noteworthy education
Thecounty’scentersofcommerce andindustry—includingJamestown, Fredonia,andDunkirk—provide centralizedprofessionalservices, shopping,andyear-roundcultural attractions.Educationishighlyvalued here,offeringstrongelementaryand secondarypublicschoolsystems andtwoStateUniversityofNew Yorkcampuses.Itisalsoinclose proximitytoseveralurbanized cultural,shopping,andbusinesshubs, includingBuffalo,Erie,Pittsburgh, Cleveland,Rochester,andToronto. 25%
Asresidentsandbusinessownersin Jamestown,weareproudtocontribute toathrivingdowntown.Thereisawealth ofopportunitytobehadandastrong senseofcommunityuniquetoourregion
Nick & Mikayla Certo
OWNERS, CROWN STREET ROASTING CO.
LOWERCOSTOFLIVINGTHAN THENATIONALAVERAGE*
*as of 2024, according to BestPlaces.net.
ChautauquaCountyisservicedbythreeareahospitals locatedinJamestown,West昀椀eld,andDunkirk/Fredonia, andtwohealthcarecentersinJamestownandDunkirk
Thecounty’scentrallocationalsolendsconvenienceto additionalhealthcareresourcesasfourmajormedical centers—UPMC,ClevelandClinic,BuffaloNiagaraMedical Campus,andtheUniversityofRochester—arewithina twotothree-hourdrive.MajorinsurersincludeBlueCross/ BlueShieldofWesternNewYork,IndependentHealth,Univera HealthCare,andFidelisCareNewYork.
InadditiontotheurbanareasofJamestown andDunkirk,thecountyisblessedwithmany small,walkable,lakeside,andagriculturalbasedcommunitiesthatpossessunique characterandcharm.MuchoftheVictorianinspired,AmericanCraftsman,and Foursquarearchitecturebuiltintheearly twentiethcenturyremains,andthereareten districtsinthecountylistedontheNational RegisterofHistoricPlaces.
OWNER-OCCUPIED DWELLINGS
69%
MEDIAN COST OF HOME
$145,700
$830/month AVERAGE RENT 2-BEDROOM APARTMENT
*All numbers as of 2024
Education and Learning
Parentsoftenstatethatthequalityof ChautauquaCounty’seducational systemisoneoftheirprimary reasonsforlivinghere.Participation andachievementinarts,music,and sportsprogramsareallnoteworthy, asisanaveragestudenttoteacher ratiooflessthan13to1.
Youthart,music,andoutdoor educationandrecreation opportunitiesinChautauquaCounty include:In昀椀nityVisual&Performing Arts,AudubonCommunityNature Center,ChautauquaInstitution In-SchoolPrograms,andtheBoys andGirlsClubsinbothJamestown andDunkirk.
K-12
STUDENTS IN AREA SCHOOLS
participateinChautauquaInstitution’sartseducation programsincludingthe“ICanDrum”schoolresidency,a collaborationbetweentheChautauquaSymphonyOrchestra andChautauquaLakeElementarySchool.
Higher Education
Two institutions of higher education are located in Chautauqua County — both within the State University of New York (SUNY) system. SUNY Fredonia is one of the premier schools in the state system and offers one of the most notable and popular performing arts programs. With 65+ majors and 50+ minors, SUNY Fredonia educates successful leaders, artists, and changemakers in a supportive and inclusive community. With locations in Jamestown and Dunkirk, Jamestown Community College was one of the state’s 昀椀rst community colleges, and offers more than 60 degree and job training certi昀椀cate programs for students of all backgrounds and ages.
Workforce Development
The Workforce Development Board, also known as Chautauqua Works, collaborates with area training providers including Jamestown Community College and its Manufacturing Technology Institute (MTI). Several workforce development programs and customized job skills training courses are offered at multiple locations. Programs include customized management and leadership training, social media and computer-related training, welding techniques, continuous improvement methods, training needs analysis, and skills assessment for credentialing needs.
Technical Training
In partnership with local school districts, Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) provides extended opportunities for special education, as well as career and technical education classes. These include diverse subjects from automotive technology and computer assisted design, to culinary arts and exercise science.
The Manufacturing Technology Institute at Jamestown Community College provides students with highly-skilled training on industry-standard equipment to prepare for manufacturing careers. MTI facilities are on the Jamestown and Cattaraugus County campuses.
Business Resources
Choose CHQ - CCIDA & CCPEG
Choose CHQ is the new branding initiative for the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) and its partner organizations, including the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG). CCIDA’s mission is to make Chautauqua County a better place to work, live, and visit by attracting new businesses while promoting the retention and expansion of existing businesses. It provides 昀椀nancial and technical assistance to enhance the opportunities for business retention and expansion. CCPEG is an initiative of the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC), which launched in 2019, to assist various public and private sector partners from across Chautauqua County with projects associated with economic development. It is the catalyst and broker of resources for communities, municipalities, and organizations working to advance economic prosperity efforts county-wide. Learn more at ChooseCHQ.com.
CHQ Chamber
CHQChamber(formerlytheChautauquaCounty ChamberofCommerce)providesadiversesetofservices designedtomeettheneedsofbusinesses.CHQChamber providesservicesandprogrammingtodrivesalesto localbusinesses,connectwithpeersintheregion,provide costsavingssolutionsforemployeebene昀椀tsandhuman resourcescompliance,andsupporteconomic,tourism,and workforcedevelopmentinitiatives.Italsorecognizesand celebratesbusinessstartupsinthecounty.
Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier
Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier (MAST) is a privately funded organization that has represented the interests of manufacturers in the region since 1900. MAST provides services and programming that address workforce development, economic and infrastructure development, and cost drivers such as workers’ compensation and health insurance.
Small Business Development Center at JCC
AdministeredbytheU.S.SmallBusinessAdministration,the SmallBusinessDevelopmentCenter(SBDC)atJamestown CommunityCollegeworkswithregionalbusinessesto helpthemsucceed.Sincetheirstartin1986,advisors have workedwithover13,000businesses,helpingthemtoinvest morethan$176.5millionintothearea’seconomyand createorsavemorethan9,000jobs.Servicesare
con昀椀dentialandfreeofcharge.TheSBDCcanassistin businessplandevelopment;packagingloanapplications; 昀椀nancialplanningincludingcostanalysisandrevenue projections;marketingandsocialmediaassistance; exportandprocurementguidance;complyingwithpermit, licensing,andotherregulations;productivityenhancement; andsupportingthestart-upand/ortheexpansionprocess forsmallbusinesses.
Chautauqua Works American Job Centers
AdministeredbytheWorkforceDevelopmentBoard(WDB), theChautauquaWorksAmericanJobCentersinDunkirk andJamestownprovideanetworkofcomprehensive servicesandlabormarketinformationforbusinesses, workers,andjobseekers.Theyofferskillsassessment, careerguidance,centralpostingofopenjobs,work readinessworkshops,accesstoquali昀椀edserviceand trainingproviders,trainingfunding,andreferralstojobs, education,training,andcommunityservices.
Chautauqua Coun Visitors Bureau
TheChautauquaCountyVisitorsBureau(CCVB)isthe of昀椀cialtourismpromotionagencyforChautauquaCounty. CCVBmarkets the area’s attractions, visitor experiences, and related amenities to vacationers, touring and getaway travelers, group travelers, and event attendees. It also provides area tourism-related businesses with several marketing programs designed to bring businesses and tourist guests together. These include a travel guide, TourChautauqua.com website, information center locations, and a year-round calendar of events.
SUNY Fredonia Center for Innovation & Economic Development
LocatedinDunkirk,theCenterforInnovation&Economic Development(CIED)isaNewYorkStatecerti昀椀edbusiness incubatoroperatedbySUNYFredonia.Formerlycalled theFredoniaTechnologyIncubator(FTI),theCIED providesentrepreneurswithaccesstowork-readyspace, businessconsulting,mentoringandtraining,professional services,assistancewithbusinessformation,networking opportunities,andconnectionstoUniversityresourcesand studentinterns.
START-UP NY
START-UPNYoffersnewandexpandingbusinessesthe opportunitytooperatetax-freefor10yearsonornear eligibleuniversityorcollegecampusesinNewYorkState. Partneringwiththeseschoolsgivesbusinessesdirect accesstoadvancedresearchlaboratories,development resources,andexpertsinkeyindustries.
CHQOSE A LIFE WELL BALANCED
MarkGeise,AdministrativeDirector/CEO
ShelbyBilskie,CFO
Lake Erie Wine Country
Lakeshoresand rurallandscapes support17,000 acresofvineyards.
Chadwick Bay Industrial Park
Threeparcelscovering20+ acreswithelectric,gas, water,andsewer.
Marinas & Beaches
Fourinlandlakesand50miles ofLakeErieshorelineoffereasy accesstoboating,swimming, and昀椀shing.
Hiking Trails
Hiking,biking,and equestriantrails traversethe county’srural foothillsandforests.
Golf Destination
Ripley Development Site
ComingSoon-A140+acre, shovel-readydevelopmentsite intheTownofRipleywithdirect accesstoI-90.
Chautauqua Institution
The summer program of lectures, performances, art, and recreation entertains multiple generations.
Morethanadozen coursesoffering numerouschoicesfor hittingthelinks.
Charming
Historic Towns
Offerhigh-ranking schoolsandlow-cost housingwith architecturaldiversity.
National Comedy Center
Thestoryofcomedylives inJamestownatthe nationallydesignated centerforcomedy.
Peek’n Peak and Chautauqua Harbor Hotel
Resortsprovidecomfortand conveniencetorecreational andculturalattractions.
Mason Industrial Park
40+acreswithelectric, gas,water,andsewer.
Findley
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Chautauqua is a Seneca word –most commonly translated as “bag tied in the middle” or “two moccasins tiedtogether”–andusedtodescribe the shape of its namesake lake. Historically, it refers to an adult education movement in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the Chautauqua Institution, where the movement began. Chautauqua is also Western New York’s largest inland lake and western-most county. Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was quotedassayingthatChautauquais “themostAmericanthinginAmerica.” In 1974, author Robert M. Persig used the term as a philosophical journey in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Today, Chautauqua is renowned as a place for nurturing the mind, body, and spirit – a wellrounded, balanced lifestyle.