(WNY News Now) The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) has announced a new wave of funding, supported by a $1.625 million multi-year grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, positioning Chautauqua County for future economic growth.
The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) is once again seeking applications for support for economic development projects from Chautauqua County’s municipalities, nonprofits, academic institutions, economic development organizations, and community organizations. The funding was obtained through a multi-year grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation (RCWF). The funding initiative, which aims to improve long-term strategic investment and economic regeneration across the county, has been available for four years through CCPEG.
According to Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and co-chair of the CCPEG Advisory Board, CCPEG has funded a number of high-priority projects over the last three years that aim to promote economic development in Chautauqua County. We are able to keep supporting local economic development initiatives that will build on the momentum we are creating throughout the county, thanks to more Wilson Foundation money.
The Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC), which serves as CCPEG’s parent body, approved the acceptance of a $1.625 million, three-year financing award from RCWF in November. In addition to assisting to provide local matching funds to support catalytic economic and community development projects, the grant award—which represents CCPEG’s greatest financial commitment to date—will expand and improve the organization’s administrative and project development capabilities.
For a limited number of projects that have been found to have the potential to have revolutionary effects on the entire county, CCPEG will provide resources. Assistance may take the form of technical support, match requirements for federal, state, or local grants being used for projects that are in line with the Chautauqua County Economic Development Strategic Plan, or other initiatives that build on or capitalize on prior investments in Chautauqua County’s economic development.
High-priority projects may receive grants of up to $50,000, and grant amounts normally fall between $10,000 and $20,000. The Chautauqua County Fair Conceptual Planning and Enhancement project, the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts theater restoration project, the Dream It Do It Tech Career Initiative, the SUNY Fredonia Center for Innovation & Economic Development (formerly the Fredonia Technology Incubator) strategic plan, the development of a Waterfront Activation Plan for Mayville, the improvements to Hartley Park (Lakewood), and many more are among the projects that have previously been funded. The investment over the last three years has totaled more than $1 million across more than 40 initiatives.
Nathan Aldrich, Economic Development Manager for CREDC and CCPEG, stated, “We are happy to see this continue in 2025 as it has been an incredibly valuable funding resource for dozens of local projects over the past three years.” In the next years, we anticipate the enormous impact this investment will have on our capacity to carry out our purpose and carry out a number of ground-breaking economic development initiatives.
The deadline for applications is Friday, February 21 at 4 p.m., and the application process will open on Monday, January 6. The application can be found at this website. Please email [email protected] or call (716) 363-3770 to reach Monica Simpson, CCPEG Partner Engagement Coordinator, with any questions or concerns.
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