Chautauqua Made

Long embedded in our region and our economy, manufacturing remains the backbone of our community. It has played an integral role in building the foundation of our area. Wealth and opportunity has long been provided to many families in our community through manufacturing.
 
Chautauqua County is home to nearly 200 manufacturing facilities, 10,000 manufacturing employees, nearly $400-million in annual payroll and nearly $5.1-billion in annual manufacturing shipments. We are home to a mix of locally owned manufacturers, domestically owned companies and companies with a global presence such as Cummins, Nestle Purina, SKF and Truck-Lite. Our diverse manufacturing base in Chautauqua County creates heavy duty engines, engine components for the auto, truck, and aerospace industries, wood furniture, steel cabinetry, architectural doors and windows, specialized and highly engineered components, as well as processed foods and beverages. Chautauqua County boasts a wide range of manufacturing capabilities driven by a highly skilled workforce.
 
Recognizing the importance and value of manufacturing to the area, a group of local manufactures formed a manufacturers association in 1900 to represent their interests. Today, the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier (MAST) is a pro-active leader committed to enhancing the economic strength of the region. The Association promotes the common interests of its membership, develops services that benefit its members and is a primary resource for information and assistance to promote manufacturing excellence and innovation in a global economy.

Work and Invest Here

Manufacturing and agriculture are both big business in Chautauqua County, but so are healthcare, education, and tourism. With a variety of local businesses, Dunkirk and Jamestown are home to downtown city centers which house numerous retail, service, non-profit, and hospitality based businesses.
 
Whether you work in healthcare, human services, manufacturing, education, or a service based industry, there are opportunities in Chautauqua County. If you need additional training, resources are available through a number of sources including local schools and higher education facilities which offer a variety of degree and certificate programs. Most local companies post opportunities through major online job sites and many list through traditional sources such as local advertising and college or career centers.
 
If you want to start a business in Chautauqua County or move your business here there are numerous resources ready to help and support you. The Industrial Development Agency of Chautauqua County works to assist businesses with tax incentives, low interest loans, and capital investments.  Local development corporations in Jamestown, Dunkirk, and Westfield also work on business development projects and downtown revitalization efforts. 
 
The SUNY Fredonia Technology Incubator in downtown Dunkirk provides its client entrepreneurs with the support, infrastructure, resources, and the guidance needed to successfully launch a new business. 
 
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier offer support, training, information, and resources to help businesses and people throughout Chautauqua County.
 
The Small Business Development Center provides support and training to individuals interested in starting up a business enterprise.  The SBDC offers management assistance to current and start-up small business owners free of charge and also offers training programs in social media marketing in conjunction with Jamestown Community College to help get your business off and running or to boost your existing marketing program.  JCC also offers a certificate program for budding entrepreneurs.

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