Department of Development

Crystal D. Surdyk
Director of Development

The City of Jamestown Department of Development is committed to providing economic, social, and cultural opportunities through a variety of public and private partnerships and resources to engage, educate and empower our citizens, create vibrant and safe neighborhoods with decent and affordable housing options, and to generate new investment that will improve the overall quality of life, well-being and sustainability of the entire community. The Department of Development also aids business owners, both small and large, with grant and low-interest loan programs in the hopes of creating jobs within the city. This department is also in charge of administering Community Development Block Grant and HOME Program funds.

The DOD includes the Jamestown Local Development Corporation (JLDC) and the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency (JURA). Further information can be received at 716-483-7541 or dod@jamestownny.gov.

Hours: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday

City of Jamestown Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan Public Comment Period Now Open

The City of Jamestown’s CDBG and HOME FY 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and FY 2020 Annual Action Plan has been prepared and will be ready to be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) pending a mandatory 30-day public review period. The purpose of this public input period is to assist the Department of Development in gaining a better understanding of the housing, neighborhood, and economic development needs that should still be addressed through the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Program allocations for 2020, and its FY 2020 – FY 2024 Consolidated Plan.

The two plans will be made available beginning Friday, November 20, 2020, in the Department of  Development and the Office of the Mayor, Third and Fourth Floors (respectively) of the Municipal building at 200 East Third Street, Jamestown, NY 14701. Additionally, they will be made available at Prendergast Library and online at https://www.jamestownny.gov/departments/department-of-development/cdbg-and-home/. All comments regarding the Consolidated Plan or Annual Plan should be sent in writing by email to dod@jamestownny.gov or submitted by mail to the Department of Development, Municipal Building, Third Floor, Jamestown, NY 14701.

The Jamestown City Council and the subsequent submission of the City’s FY 2020 CDBG and HOME Annual Action Plan and FY 2020-2024 5-Year Strategic Plan application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will consider all comments received prior to the formal authorization of the application.

CONTACT:       Crystal Surdyk

Department of Development

Municipal Building, Third Floor

Jamestown, New York 14701

(716) 483-7659

CARES Act Covid Response CDBG Grants

The City of Jamestown Department of Development, with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through the allocation of a federal Community Development Block Grant, has released two COVID-19 Recovery Grant programs to assist with the financial impact of the nationwide Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  The Utility Assistance Grant is for utility customers whose income has been reduced as a result of the pandemic.  The Small Business Relief Grant is available to for-profit businesses that have suffered financial losses as a result of the pandemic.

The City of Jamestown Board of Public Utilities will distribute Utility Assistance applications to all eligible customers who are not receiving full utility payment assistance from other sources and who were current on their BPU bill as of March 2020, and are now in receipt of a termination notice.

The BPU Assistance Program application will be mailed out with the BPU bill and termination notice to BPU customers who meet the criteria for eligibility, which are; not receiving assistance from Department of Social Services for utilities, current on BPU bill as of March 2020, in receipt of a termination notice.  The application will also be available in pdf format on the City of Jamestown’s website page.  Additionally, hard copies will be available in the offices of the Department of Development for pick up, or it can be mailed out by request.

Consideration:  In order for applications to be considered, each must include the following:

1.  2019 tax returns for all occupants over the age of 18
2. Most recent paystub detailing year-to-date income of all occupants over the age of 18
3. Documentation of, or self-certified, job loss or reduction in hours due to COVID-19
4. Official BPU termination notice addressed to the applicant

Applications will be reviewed by DOD staff on a first come first serve basis.  Only applications with all requested documentation included with submission will proceed to review and verification.  Applicants will be notified by phone if application is incomplete and told which documents are missing.  Applicants may then resubmit the application with all requested documentation and it will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis.    Applications will continue to be accepted until funding is expended. BPU Utility Assistance Grants available here.

The Small Business Relief Grant to for-profit businesses in the city of Jamestown that employ up to fifty (50) employees. Businesses will be able to apply for grants of up to $20,000 for the purposes of reopening and recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses will be required to provide proof of economic injury due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following is a checklist of information that will be required as part of the application process:

The application period for the Small Business Grant program will begin November 2, 2020 and will remain open until November 23, 2020.

Description of business and impact of COVID-19 ______
Number of jobs lost due to COVID (part and full time) _______
Number of jobs retained during COVID (part and full time) _______
Proof of significant loss in the form of:
2019 Profit and Loss Statement ______
2019 Balance Sheet ______
2020 Profit and Loss Statement ______
2020 Balance Sheet ______
Outstanding Debt ______
Itemized list of expenses ______
Safety plan implemented for reopening ______
Six-month plan to remain open ______
Completed and signed 2019 W9 ______
Certificate of Incorporation or proof of business ______
Federal tax returns ______
State tax returns ______

Small Business Grant applications are available here.

COVID-19 Alerts and Information

Any permits shall be filed with Larry Scalise, Building Code Enforcement Officer, by appointment only.  Residents may call during normal business hours for all other questions and concerns.

All code enforcement officers are directed to limit inspections to external buildings only.  Inside building inspections are not permitted during this time with the exception of emergency situations.

Click here for Resources for Businesses & Workers Impacted by COVID-19.