The Colonial Squire Motel in Ripley will be demolished and replaced with a Love’s Travel Stop. Photo by Roger Coda

Construction of a new Gateway Center at the New York state border will start in April.

At its monthly board meeting today, the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA) Board of Directors voted unanimously in favor of providing tax incentives for Love’s Travel Stop and Country Stores, Inc. The project involves construction of a state-of-the art, 22,000 square foot travel center on a 16-acre parcel located at 6201 and 6151 Shortman Road. The travel center will include a convenience store, fueling islands, restaurant, repair center, and related services.

“This is a great project for the town of Ripley, the region, and the state,” said Mark Geise, Chief Executive Officer for the CCIDA. “This area has been crying out for a project like this, as it replaces the dilapidated Colonial Hotel at the Gateway to our beautiful county and state. In addition to the dozens of jobs this facility will create, Love’s will be paying taxes, and the Community Host Agreement will provide the town of Ripley with the resources it needs to make upgrades to its water and sewer infrastructure. I welcome the Love’s family to our region.”

“The Love’s project is a strong step for the Town of Ripley’s economic development commercial corridor,” stated Doug Bowen, Ripley Town Supervisor. “The Host Community Agreement benefiting Ripley’s municipal water and sewer development is greatly appreciated.”

Love’s will provide services not otherwise available in the area and will attract customers from within and outside of the region. Its estimated $12 million investment for this project is anticipated to net over $30 Million in combined regional and New York State economic benefits over the life of the PILOT.

Rick Shuffield, Vice President of Real Estate & Development for Love’s, commented, “Love’s is very excited about the opportunity to put a new travel center at the gateway to New York State. The CCIDA played a key role in why we were able to proceed with the development, and we look forward to being part of the local community.”

The new facility, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2021, will create approximately 100 temporary construction jobs and more than 40 new permanent jobs.