Jamestown Community College could move to Third Street in the Downtown Revitalization Initiative effort in Dunkirk.

When the city of Dunkirk learned it was receiving $10 million in Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding, Mayor Wilfred Rosas brought up SUNY Jamestown Community College.

To Rosas, having the college set up its north county campus on Central Avenue would be a boon for downtown development.

“It starts with (JCC) coming in,” he said in January. “That’s a big plan for us. If we get JCC in there, that will help us bring in more small mom and pop shops.”

The college’s Board of Trustees recently received an update on the proposed project, which would have JCC move into a renovated Graf Building in downtown Dunkirk to establish a north county campus. JCC currently operates its North County Center on Bennett Road.

Board Trustee Lou DiPalma said JCC’s application for a share of the DRI funding has been submitted. He alluded to the college’s current location and the desire to have a downtown presence.

“Obviously, we continue to run this campus here,” he said, “but the challenge continues to exist in terms of how do we increase enrollment? How do we strengthen workforce development and our interaction with the business community? How do we strengthen our interaction with the Hispanic communities? How do we strengthen our curriculum to help increase enrollment?

“Well, all of those challenges continue to exist. This is going to have to be addressed in one form or another.”

In January, Dunkirk was selected by the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council to receive a $10 million award. Officials said the DRI investment will allow Dunkirk to develop a strategic investment plan and implement projects that advance its vision for revitalization of its downtown area.

DiPalma said the college is looking to talk with local businesses regarding workforce development needs.

“This is going to have to go beyond businesses just expressing an interest as far as workforce development training is concerned,” he said. “We need to have commitments from businesses that say yes, we’re willing to dedicate a certain level of resources to help support this training that, in turn, will help our business.”

JCC Trustee Wally Huckno Sr. asked if there were other alternative being considered if the Graf Building option doesn’t pan out.

“We know that we have to move downtown to really be a presence in Dunkirk,” he said. “We visited the building. We had different opinions on the building. And I just wondered if we had maybe some alternative suggestions? You mentioned a couple of them have been turned down already, so that begins to push us. I don’t liked to be pushed.”

JCC President Daniel DeMarte said there has been other considerations, among them building a new facility on the lot next to the Graf Building, as well as moving into the hospital once it became vacant.

DeMarte said their new location should be downtown “to harness the energy that’s there. And for us, it’s close to the high school, so we would have potentially a stronger connect with high school students.”

Complete application forms for DRI funding were due July 17. According to information that came from a planning committee meeting in June, forms for 18 projects had been received, with an information meeting taking place June 22.

Recommended goals for the funds include:

¯ reversing the trend of vacancies in downtown Dunkirk.

¯ attracting new investment in Dunkirk and the waterfront through commercial, educational and entertainment opportunities that will result in increased vitality year-round, more visitors and new residents.

¯ creating a robust environment for rehabilitation of historic downtown buildings.

¯ improving access and connectivity to employment, education, health care, other essential services and natural areas.

¯ increasing the opportunities for quality affordable housing.