West NY News

Mark Geise, CEO of the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA), led the agency to unprecedented activity in 2023, resulting in $842 million in total project value, ranking first among all economic development agencies in Western New York.

The County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) was recognized as the top-ranking economic development agency in Western New York State for 2023 by Buffalo Business First. This marks the first time CCIDA has achieved the No. 1 spot on the publication’s ranking.

According to Business First, at the end of 2023, CCIDA reported a total of $842 million worth of deals brokered. This figure not only represents the largest total among agencies in Western New York but also sets a record for CCIDA's single-year total in its 51 years of operation. Additionally, CCIDA was involved with 34 different projects in 2023, more than any other economic development agency in the region.

“2023 was unprecedented in terms of the breadth and size of projects assisted by the CCIDA, as well as job retention and creation,” said Mark Geise, Deputy Chautauqua County Executive for Economic Development and Chief Executive Officer of CCIDA. “It is my opinion that our economic development team...is unparalleled not just in Western New York, but across New York State.”

Key projects supported by CCIDA included: a $452 million Cummins Engine Internal Expansion; a $250 million Wells Ice Cream Plant Expansion; Weber Knapp Purchase by Local Ownership ($21.4 million); Purchase and Development of lithium-ion Battery Manufacturer Electrovaya ($42.5 million); and acquisition of Conagra/CCIDA Facility in Dunkirk by Refresco to create a Northeastern US Distribution Center ($13 million). In total, 34 different projects benefited from CCIDA's support.

“I am thrilled with the work being undertaken by the CCIDA and the extended economic development team,” said Chautauqua County Executive Paul “PJ” Wendel. “I commend Mark Geise and the County/CCIDA team for their laser focus on Chautauqua County’s upward trajectory...This is truly an amazing achievement.”

The $842 million dollar amount represents a 59% increase from $500 million reported in 2022 when it ranked second on Business First's list. The other top five Western New York economic development agencies for 2023 were Invest Buffalo Niagara, Erie County IDA, Genesee County Economic Development Center, and County of Cattaraugus IDA.

“Once again, our collective development team was able to knock it out of the park,” Geise added.

The CCIDA is an economic development organization authorized by New York State to enhance opportunities for job creation and retention through incentives such as tax abatements, low-interest loans, and bond financing.

For more information visit ChooseCHQ.com.