Committee approves transfer of Hangar A to county, forgives remaining CCIDA bond debt; greenlights IDA marketing contracts

The Planning and Economic Development Committee voted Dec. 10 to transfer Hangar A at the Jamestown Airport from the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) to the county and to forgive the remaining bond debt on that hangar.

Mark Geiss, deputy county executive and CEO of the CCIDA, told the committee the hangar was built in 1995–96 with proceeds from a CCIDA bond and that the county has a remaining bond balance on its books of $81,371. "This resolution will officially transfer Hangar A to the county and will forgive the remaining bond debt," Geiss said, while noting the hangar is currently valued "well over $500,000 as it sits today." The committee approved the resolution by voice vote.

Geiss outlined the legal background, saying the original bond was structured as a special obligation of the agency payable only from project revenues and that the agency had no other recourse. He described ongoing efforts to clear equipment left by a buyer who purchased the hangar and said the IDA and county legal staff are pressing the owner to remove the equipment or face legal remedies. "We finally got his attention... we have other avenues," Geiss said.

Committee members pressed staff on practical details: whether the hangar can support aircraft (staff: "Yes"), the condition and tenant improvements (offices, bathrooms, heat and overhead doors), and next steps for re-leasing or issuing a new RFP once the building is cleared. One legislator summarized the transaction as: acquiring an asset valued at roughly $500,000 in exchange for removing an $81,371 liability from the agency's books.

On the same agenda, the committee authorized an agreement with the CCIDA for business development assistance and promotion in 2026. Jason Sample, marketing communications coordinator for the IDA, described Live CHQ (a talent-attraction program launched in 2024) and a planned increase in "shovel ready" site marketing for locations such as Ripley and Mason Park. Sample said the 2026 contract figure under discussion was $179,118 and that funds will be used for a mix of marketing initiatives, partner support and contingency for emergent needs.

Legislators asked whether contract text would be available for legislative review and whether job‑training monies were included in the IDA contract; staff said the agreement covers marketing and business-development services and that job-training funds are not included in this county contract. The committee approved the IDA agreement as presented.

The committee's actions make the hangar county property and place the remaining bond liability off the agency's books; staff said they will proceed with steps to clear the facility and then evaluate leasing options or issue a new RFP.