Mark Geise, deputy county executive, speaks with County Executive PJ Wendel before his State of the County address on Wednesday. Photo by M.J. Stafford

MAYVILLE — Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel touted the area’s growth under his watch Wednesday at the annual State of the County address.

Stating the county had “successful budgeting and a strong economic recovery” from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Republican offered a sunny, positive vision of its affairs in a 25-minute talk.

“Our comeback has indeed been far greater than the setback,” Wendel said.

He said taxes went down the most in 20 years while the county managed to add $8,533,428 to its fund balance.

Chautauqua County had a 3.5% unemployment rate last year, its lowest since the 1990s, he said. There were $164 million in business investments, including $41 million for Americold’s new storage facility in Dunkirk and $11 million for the redevelopment of the Welch’s building in Westfield.

Wendel said his administration is focusing on population retention. “Our approach addresses economic issues in a holistic manner, ” he said.

The focus includes helping the development of businesses, communities, the workforce, housing and tourism. “While this isn’t going to happen overnight, we are making progress toward this goal,” Wendel said of efforts to retain and boost population.

Among other things, Wendel also touted sewer district expansions near Chautauqua Lake and moves to make county government more efficient. Those include increased telework to decrease the need for rented office space and restructuring the financial and public facilities departments.

The county executive said he campaigned in 2021 on three things: strengthening communities, investing in the future and growing the economy. He ticked off various things he and the county have done towards those ends.

Wendel said he has written to Gov. Kathy Hochul asking for assurances on funding for a new Brooks Memorial Hospital. He said the facility’s plan for a new building in Fredonia was “slowed, if not halted” by COVID-19 and its constellation of issues.

The county executive concluded his speech by reiterating that the county’s economic growth is a key focus of his administration.

“My goal is to make Chautauqua County the best place to live, work, start a family and visit,” he said.