Michael Michalski

Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. has announce the hiring of Michael Michalski as its economic development coordinator for Chautauqua Opportunities for Development Inc.

A lifetime resident of Dunkirk, Michalski has more than 20 years of lending and customer service experience in the financial services/banking industry. A graduate of the State University of New York at Fredonia, he believes his financial background and experience will help him in meeting the borrowing needs of local entrepreneurs and businesses.

“I enjoy helping people reach their business goals, whether as a start-up business or advising an existing business owner looking to expand,” he said. “According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses make up 99.8% of all New York state businesses.”

CODI offers secured loans to residents and businesses of Chautauqua County from $1,000 to $50,000. Loan proceeds can be used for most business-related purposes including equipment, inventory, real estate and working capital. As a nonprofit lender, CODI is willing to consider non-traditional types of collateral, applicants with less than ideal credit, and will work with low to moderate-income individuals.

CODI is an affiliate corporation of Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. and builds from COI’s mission of alleviating poverty by promoting self-sufficiency. CODI’s primary mission is to make capital, training and technical assistance available to entrepreneurs and start-up businesses in Chautauqua County and surrounding communities. CODI was certified as a Community Development Financial Institution in 2004 by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.