County economic development officials outline 2024 wins, ARPA-funded site work and business assistance; legislators press for labor‑force analysis

Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) leaders presented a summary of 2024 activity to the Planning and Economic Development Committee on March 19, listing deals, grant wins and ARPA‑funded infrastructure work intended to make county sites “shovel ready.” County officials and IDA staff framed the presentation as an update on grant leverage, site preparation and programs to help local businesses modernize marketing and expand.

“...In 2024, the CCIDA board approved or assisted 18 projects,” Mark Geiss, deputy county executive for economic development and CEO of the IDA, told the committee, citing a cumulative investment figure the agency estimated at more than $311 million if all projects are realized and a combined total of about 1,500 jobs created or retained. Geiss said the IDA and its partner, the nonprofit Partnership for Economic Growth, together pursue projects, grants and marketing to attract investment.

Key ARPA‑backed projects and numbers reported - Ripley shovel‑ready site: Geiss said the county allocated $4.8 million in ARPA funds plus roughly $1.13 million in county capital for site acquisition and preparation; the IDA added about $1 million and secured roughly $8.3 million in FAST NY and ARC grants, producing an estimated project budget in…