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JRC official eyes new programs, outreach

The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation's new downtown revitalization director is finalizing the early steps of plans to reinvigorate the organization and downtown.

Michael Edwards, the JRC's director of downtown revitalization, is in the midst of working on a new digital marketing strategy to meet Jamestown consumers, residents and visitors where they are at -- on their phones. An RFP is currently pending for that, and new events are also planned with the idea to capitalize on the unique spaces and places that can be found downtown, incorporating art, music, and surprises.

"We will address vacant storefronts and encourage new businesses through a pop-up program, move our offices to a vacant space downtown, investigate financial support for more mature new businesses looking to relocate or locate downtown and produce, with many partners, a fall event to connect downtown and the Chadakoin River area," Edwards said.

Edwards has now been in his new role for over 90 days. Reflecting back on his first 90 days, Edwards is looking back on the things he has learned so far and forward to the next steps for the JRC looking to the future.

At the same time, the JRC is also celebrating its 20th anniversary serving downtown and Jamestown. Since its incorporation in June 2006, JRC has evolved to offer a variety of programs, policies and actions that felt important at the time given the state of the local economy and downtown.

"I have met numerous people that have been associated with the JRC as past staff, members of the board, or businesses helped by the work of JRC," Edwards said. "There is quite a legacy to the organization and a real desire to continue and accelerate the organization's work."

Edwards also took note of the JRC's pause in 2025, which he said was taken so the organization could reflect on their work, their values, and the challenges and opportunities currently facing downtown Jamestown. After that analysis, he added, the JRC decided to rebuild the organization to reflect the needs of today's economic environment. Additionally, Edwards said he is pleased to be involved as the new JRC Director of Downtown Revitalization and to share his expertise and experience to continue JRC's legacy of success.

"The JRC has a 2026 plan to rebuild the organization," Edwards said. "Most of my initial work has been focused on those objectives including establishing key partnerships, getting to know my board of directors and their expectations, completing targeted storefront and business improvements such as the event space at Wicked Warren's and the feasibility study for residential conversion of the Field and Wright building, maintaining JRC property downtown, incorporating and downtown inventory of properties, driving consistent board and committee meetings, closely tracking finances and detailed reporting and engaging over 100 stakeholders -- including our local and state representatives and the great staff at the city of Jamestown including the departments of development, parks and the police."

An Economic Development Roundtable and additional listening sessions are planned to help JRC assure they clearly understand the work ahead, Edwards said. The organization also internally has a governance committee to review their mission and vision, adopt revised bylaws, and update important documents such as the employee handbook to reflect current laws, especially following COVID.

Specifically for downtown, Edwards said the city has a good collection of historic buildings that gives downtown an urban feel that is different from other places in southern Chautauqua County.

"We have a compact and dense downtown, good for walkability and lingering," Edwards said. "We have motivated property owners that either want to reinvest in their properties, or, as in many downtowns, are looking to sell property to the next generation of owners that will continue to build downtown Jamestown into the future. We do have numerous vacant storefronts, but if you take the time, we also have very fine businesses downtown offering beautiful arts and crafts, clothing and collectables, amazing ice cream, delicious coffee, unique places to meet friends for locally crafted beer, wine and amazing food."

There are almost 3,000 daily employees downtown, Edwards noted, including large employers like the city and county, but also other services and employers such as lawyers, insurance agencies, and medical service providers.

Looking towards the future, Edwards said the JRC receives most of its funding through the support of the Gebbie Foundation, and has secured funding for all of 2027. The plan is to also continue to rebuild JRC's organizational capacity, bringing in five new people to the board in January 2027, expanding the number of board members to 13. The National Comedy Center, Roger Tory Peterson Institute, Chautauqua Lake, Lucy Desi Museum, Robert H. Jackson Center, Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, Northwest Arena, and the Riverwalk are also very important and part of the JRC administered Meeting and Conference Strategy, Edwards said.

Edwards added that downtown Jamestown is a unique space and a place that belongs to all residents of Jamestown.

"Downtown faces the same challenges large and small urban areas face, but is populated with people including local leadership, owners, businesses, investors, and foundations that really care and are committed to making downtown a place you want to be and are proud of," Edwards said.