CCPEG
CHQPartnership.org
The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) is an initiative of the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) launched in 2019 to assist various public and private partners from across Chautauqua County with projects associated with economic development.
About CCPEG
CCPEG is a program of CREDC that receives input and guidance from a volunteer advisory board, consisting of leaders from both the private and public sector, representing various communities from across Chautauqua County. It is able to achieve its goals and objectives, including assisting dozens of its community partners, with a small support staff, assistance from Chautauqua County Department of Planning & Development, and the help of five separate Work Groups composed of members from across the county. These Work Groups include: Business Development, Placemaking, Workforce Development, Housing, and Infrastructure.
Mission & Vision
VISION STATEMENT:
To realize the tremendous potential of Chautauqua County by working harmoniously to advance widespread economic growth and prosperity.
MISSION STATEMENT:
The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) serves as the main convener of economic development partners and resources to advance key projects that achieve economic prosperity in Chautauqua County. It also serves as the catalyst and broker of resources for advancing economic prosperity efforts and is the central coordinating entity for improving the quality of life in our communities, thereby attracting people and businesses to Chautauqua County to live, work, recreate, and invest.
The Partnership fulfills its mission through the following strategic initiatives:
- Providing proactive leadership on issues that affect business growth, challenges to job creation and the long-term competitiveness of our economy.
- Developing vibrant places with enriching experiences for citizens and visitors alike with dynamic communities in which to live.
- Synthesizing workforce, entrepreneurial and small business development with business development objectives.
- Facilitating entrepreneurial growth and the retention and expansion of primary employers and key industries.
- Driving development, marketing, and attraction of targeted businesses to our greater community.
2025 by the Numbers
In 2025, CCPEG focused on advancing 12 priority projects in alignment with the Economic Development Strategy. The Partnership also provided over $269,000 in financial assistance and technical assistance to support several dozen partner-led projects and initiatives that support economic revitalization and long-term strategic investment throughout Chautauqua County. In addition, the Partnership was awarded 18 grants in 2025, totaling over $451,500 and leveraged an additional $6,175,376 on behalf of its partners.
75
Partner Organizations Engaged
17
Grants Awarded
51
Projects Assisted
$451,500
CCPEG Funding Secured
70
Partnership Meetings
163
Meetings with the Community
Funds Allocated to Support Implementation of CHQ Co Strategic Plan Economic Development Plan Projects:
26 Projects, Totaling
$400,610
$6,175,500
Additional Dollars Leveraged
CCPEG Work Groups
Workforce Development
Act as one voice in preparing the future workforce and developing the current workforce resulting in competitive, successful, thriving businesses, and establish a brand identity as the “Work Belt” region in the U.S.A.
Business Development
Ensure Chautauqua County fosters a positive environment for the creation and expansion of small and large businesses and prepares development-ready sites throughout the county. Identifies challenges that need to be overcome by businesses in order to grow and thrive, while identifying core sectors that should be targeted in order to optimize key assets and amenities.
Placemaking
Promote distinct public spaces that enhance community identity, promote unique experiences and destinations, and create social connections throughout Chautauqua County. Encourage unique senses of place that build upon and prioritize public and private investment that creates healthy, vibrant, walkable communities characterized by thriving tourism attractions, downtowns, and enhanced waterfronts specific to Chautauqua County.
Housing Development
Engage and support municipal leaders, housing agencies, investors, homeowners, and tenants through projects that improve the county’s housing stock and remove blight to provide a diverse range of housing styles in developed, walkable communities to meet the demands of today’s workers and active adults.
Infrastructure
Partner with municipalities, utility districts, and related stakeholders to identify, develop, and secure funding for a wide range of infrastructure projects, especially those that align with the Chautauqua County Economic Development Strategic Plan or enhance or leverage previous investment in economic development within Chautauqua County.
CCPEG Projects and Initiatives
CCPEG focuses on advancing a number of priority projects in alignment with the Chautauqua County Economic Development Strategy.
CCPEG Economic Growth Fund
In 2021, the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC), the umbrella organization of CCPEG, received a grant from Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to launch the Economic Growth Fund (EGF). These matching dollars supported a wide range of catalytic economic and community development projects from 2022–2024.
In 2024, CCPEG received additional funding from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, extending this important program through 2025–2027.
Sign up to be notified about future grant opportunities
CCPEG will provide interested organizations with an email notification when we announce the start of our next funding cycle. If you are or represent a Chautauqua County municipality, nonprofit, community organization, academic institution, and/or economic development organization and would like to be on our email list, please fill out the form below.
Stay Informed About Additional Funding Opportunities
Sign up for our various stakeholder-specific notificaiton lists to learn about additional funding opportunities.
Housing
Funding Opportunities
Placemaking
Funding Opportunities
Outdoor Recreaton
Funding Opportunities
Workforce Development
Funding Opportunities
Chautauqua County Economic Development Strategy
Chautauqua County Economic Development Strategy 2026–2031: a roadmap for sustainable growth, jobs, investment, and community revitalization.
The Chautauqua County Economic Development Strategy is a countywide framework led by the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG), an initiative of the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC), the non-profit affiliate of the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA). Through the Strategy, the Partnership brings together public, private, and nonprofit partners to coordinate and prioritize key economic development efforts across five areas: Business Development, Workforce, Housing, Infrastructure, and Placemaking. Stakeholders may utilize this Strategy to better align local projects, strengthen grant advocacy, track implementation metrics, and accelerate job creation and long‑term economic resilience across Chautauqua County.
Our Investors
CCPEG is currently funded by in-kind and donations from the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, Chautauqua County, the Gebbie Foundation, the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, and the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation.
Partners
By nature, the Partnership is made up of dozens of partners in and around Chautauqua County. Check out the PDF below to find information about how to contact each one.
Our Advisory Board
The CCPEG Advisory Board provides thought leadership, advice, and insight to the Partnership, bringing a variety of expertise and experience.
PARTNERSHIP ADVISORY BOARD
- Mark Geise, Founder and Partnership Co-Chair, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency
- Dan Heitzenrater, Partnership Co-Chair, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce
- Paul M. Wendel, Jr., Chautauqua County Executive
- Tom Harmon, Chautauqua County Legislature PED Committee Chairman
- Greg Edwards, Business Development Work Group, Gebbie Foundation
- Gina Paradis, Housing Co-Chair, Chautauqua County Land Bank
- Andrew Nixon, Placemaking Co-Chair, Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau
- Katie Geise, Workforce Readiness and Development Co-Chair, Workforce Investment Board
- Vince DeJoy, Placemaking Work Group, City of Dunkirk
- Diane Hannum, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation
- Tory Irgang, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation
- Crystal Surdyk, Placemaking Co-Chair, City of Jamestown
- Sham Bahgat, Bahgat & Laurito-Bahgat
- Jessica Wuerstle, Infrastructure Work Group Co-Chair, Chautauqua County Director of Environmental Health Services
Chautauqua County Plans & Reports
Documents, plans and reports that help to guide the Partnership in fulfilling its mission.