Construction for a proposed shovel-ready site for industries to come to Chautauqua County is expected to begin in the spring.

On Wednesday, Rep. Nick Langworthy and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer announced that the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency will receive a federal grant of $1,999,999 for the Ripley Interstate Shovel Ready Site project. The project is proposed to generate $60 million in private investment and create 320 new jobs in the region.

“The Ripley Shovel Ready Site will bring good-paying jobs, attract new businesses, and provide the economic boost Chautauqua County needs,” Langworthy said. “This significant investment will drive this project forward and give the community new opportunities for economic growth. As someone who grew up in the Southern Tier, I will always make it a priority to bring our federal tax dollars home for meaningful efforts like this one.”

“Federal dollars continue to power Chautauqua County to build the shovel-ready infrastructure in Ripley needed to land new employers and good-paying jobs,” Schumer said. “This additional nearly $2 million federal boost will help Chautauqua County move one step closer to making this project to build a home in this region for the future of industry a reality. I fought to increase funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission because I know how important it is to create opportunities for economic development in places like Western New York, and this continued investment shows its tremendous value.”

The county IDA has been working on this project for several years, seeking various funding sources. The original price tag for the shovel-ready site was $16 million.

Mark Geise, county IDA director and deputy county executive for economic development said Wednesday that with this latest grant, they are very close to reaching their financial goal. “To ultimately do everything we want and to allow for contingencies, it would be optimal to secure another $2.5 to $3 million. We currently have a $3 million grant request into the EDA (Economic Development Administration). If we don’t get this or some portion of it, we can always scale things back. That being said, we are in really good shape right now, and will be in great shape if we secure the final EDA funding,” he said.

Regardless of the EDA funding, Geise said they expect to break ground for the shovel-ready site by the spring.

County Executive PJ Wendel thanked federal officials for the latest round of funding.

“Securing this funding represents a significant advancement for the Ripley shovel-ready site, a key project that promises to drive economic growth and prosperity here in Chautauqua County. This additional $1,999,999 from the Appalachian Regional Commission will help build out critical infrastructure and bring this project one step closer to completion,” he said. “This site will attract new investments, create jobs, and promote the kind of economic development that will benefit our county for generations.”

The Ripley project will install critical infrastructure, including access roads, water, sewer, gas, and communication lines, transforming the 147-acre site into a shovel-ready location for future businesses. Officials note these improvements will help meet the growing demand for development-ready space from the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing sectors, and will play a vital role in revitalizing the region’s economy.

Funding for this project is provided through the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization Initiative, which directs federal resources to economic diversification projects in Appalachian communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries.