Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel gives his State of the County address during the CHQ Chamber breakfast Tuesday. P-J photo by Gregory Bacon

Standing before business and community leaders, County Executive PJ Wendel said he believes Chautauqua County is in a good place and will continue to improve.

For the first time during his tenure in office, Wendel gave the State of the County address at a CHQ Chamber breakfast, held at DoubleTree by Hilton, in Jamestown.

The address itself lasted around 30 minutes and then Wendel took written questions from the audience for another 45 minutes.

Wendel began highlighting the near completion of the shovel-ready site in Ripley and the expansion of the Mason Industrial Park in Ellicott, saying those properties will soon be ready for new businesses to relocate to and/or expand in the county.

In 2023 and 2024, the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency purchased about 150 acres of land in Ripley near I-90 and have been working on getting it ready for developers, including taking care of environmental studies, bringing water, sewer, and electric, and getting some roads cut.

During Tuesday’s State of the County address, Wendel said the IDA is looking to have another shovel-ready site in Sheridan, commonly referred to as Eagle Bay, which has 657 acres of land.

“This potential Industrial park could become the largest shovel-ready site in the state of New York,” he said.

For Chautauqua Lake, Wendel noted that funding has been secured for Phase III for the sewer district. “This is the final phase of a decades-long effort to complete public sewers around Chautauqua Lake,” he said.

Wendel called the effort to have public sewers around both the north and south basins historic.

“This is a historic milestone, one that will improve water quality, strengthen property values, support economic development, and protect the long-term health of our lake community,” he said.

In terms of the economy, Wendel noted that according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Chautauqua County is the ninth fastest growing county economy in the state, with its Gross Domestic Product up 29% over the last five years.

Wendel said household income has increased as well. In 2019, the median household income was $46,820. Today it’s $58,351 – a 25% gain.

“We ranked the eighth best county in the state for year-over-year, per capita income growth,” he said.

Wendel also said the poverty rate in the county has dropped. In 2014, it was 19.4%. By 2024 it dropped to 17.4%.

Wendel noted there are more housing opportunities coming with a new senior apartment complex in Silver Creek, the Gateway Lofts project in Jamestown, the former Welch building in Westfield, and the new apartment complexes in Dunkirk.

“Once completed, these projects will bring more than 400 housing units across Chautauqua County,” he said.

And he said the county isn’t finished.

“Let’s make no mistake, there’s still work to be done but the trajectory is clear. By continuing to collaborate with our partners across the county, and investing in our strengths, we will continue to attract new businesses, new jobs, new housing and new workers for Chautauqua County,” Wendel said.

Other highlights of Wendel’s address included the county’s growth in tourism, the Chautauqua Lake Symposium in its fight against weeds in the lake, the expansion of the Fly Car System for Emergency Services in the southwestern region of the county, the Sheriff’s Office’s focus on both prevention and rehabilitation, assisting homeless families, helping those on financial assistance who are able to participate in work activities, the new lead rental program, a new ride service for senior citizens, and the new Government Reduction Initiative for local governments, schools and special taxing districts.

In terms of spending, Wendel noted this year the county’s budget is made up of 23% of property taxes, 19% state aid, 18% sales tax, 14% of designated reserves, 13% of federal aid, and 1% from the county’s fund balance.

Of the money collected and spent, 48% goes to human services, 22% for public facilities, 19% for public safety, 9% for administrative services, and 2% for planning and economic development.

Wendel noted the county’s current tax rate of $6.17 per $1,000 assessed valuation is the lowest it has been since 1982.

Wendel said the local economy is gaining momentum, stating Chautauqua County is “ranked the second-most affordable county to live in all of New York state.”

He added the work is not done.

“We will continue to focus on creating sustainable job opportunities, to ensure long-term economic growth,” Wendel said.

In conclusion, Wendel said the people of Chautauqua County should be proud of what is happening.

“We will overcome challenges and seize opportunities that will benefit generations to come. It is our county; it is our future,” he said.

This was the first time Wendel has given his State of the County address outside of the county legislature meeting. He said he hasn’t decided if in the future he will return to the legislature for the annual address or present it in other locations like this year. A recording of the address will be played at Wednesday night’s county legislature meeting.