The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) has appointed Josiah Lamp as its first full-time Program Manager, a newly established role designed to strengthen regional development efforts. Lamp joins the initiative, launched in 2019 to unite public and private leaders in advancing economic prosperity and improving quality of life across Chautauqua County, New York. n nWith 15 years of experience in economic development and housing programs, Lamp most recently served as Director of Housing and Community Development at Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. since 2016. Earlier roles include Deputy Director at the same organization and Economic Development Consultant for the Community Development Training Institute in Massachusetts. His expertise spans strategic planning, public-private collaboration, grant acquisition, and community relations. Since 2020, he has also contributed to CCPEG’s Housing Development Work Group, giving him prior insight into the partnership’s operations. n nMark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and CEO of the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, welcomed Lamp’s appointment. “His deep experience and existing familiarity with CCPEG will allow him to immediately contribute to our mission,” Geise said. He noted that the role was created in response to the growing scale of CCPEG’s work, which has secured several million dollars in funding for over a dozen community and economic development projects. n nIn his new position, Lamp will oversee the planning, execution, and monitoring of CCPEG programs, coordinate grant development to ensure financial sustainability, and manage initiatives related to business expansion, workforce development, housing, infrastructure, and placemaking. n nPrior to this hire, much of CCPEG’s coordination was handled by Nathan Aldrich, Economic Development Coordinator with the Chautauqua County Department of Planning & Development. Geise credited Aldrich with expanding the initiative beyond initial expectations and earning regional and statewide recognition. With Lamp assuming program leadership, Aldrich can now focus on broader planning responsibilities and key projects with the IDA, including site development and business retention. n nAldrich expressed confidence in Lamp’s qualifications, noting that while several strong candidates applied, Lamp’s background and alignment with CCPEG’s goals made him the standout choice. “I look forward to collaborating as we continue building a model for economic advancement that other counties can emulate,” Aldrich said. n nLamp holds a Master’s degree in Community Development & Planning from Clark University (2011) and a Bachelor’s in English from Wheaton College (2005). He lives in Dunkirk with his family. In his statement, Lamp expressed enthusiasm for expanding dynamic programming to support the county’s diverse communities and organizations. “Chautauqua County is already a vibrant place to live and work, and I’m eager to help make it even stronger,” he said. n nThe Program Manager position is partially funded by a multi-year grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. n
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Lamp to oversee economic development programs
The Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation, an affiliate agency of the County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, is pleased to announce the addition of Josiah Lamp to the newly created position of Program Manager with the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth. n nCCPEG is an initiative launched in 2019, with a mission of bringing together public and private leaders to focus on countywide and regional economic development. The Partnership serves as the catalyst and broker of resources for advancing economic prosperity efforts and is a central coordinating entity for improving the quality of life in our communities, thereby attracting people and businesses to Chautauqua County. n nLamp has 15 years of experience in managing economic development and housing programs, most recently as the Director of Housing and Community Development at Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc., a position he’s held since 2016. Previously, he served as Deputy Director of Housing and Community Development at COI and, prior to that, as Economic Development Consultant for the Community Development Training Institute, based in Worcester, Mass. Throughout his professional career, Lamp has developed strong strategic leadership and program management skills, specifically focused on strategic planning, building public-private partnerships, grant writing, and public relations. Since 2020, he’s also served on the Partnership’s Housing Development Work Group, bringing a level of familiarity and knowledge about CCPEG to his new role. n n“We’re excited to have Josiah join the CCPEG team and focus on efforts that will help to grow and strengthen our local economy and communities,” said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development, CCIDA CEO, and co-chair of the CCPEG Advisory Board. “He brings a wealth of experience to this newly created position and because of his prior involvement with the Partnership, he’ll be able to hit the ground running.” n nAs CCPEG Program Manager, Lamp will oversee and coordinate CCPEG activities, including the initiation, development, implementation, and monitoring of CCPEG projects and programs that encourage economic development in Chautauqua County. Lamp will also oversee grant development activities to help sustain CCPEG programming and will also coordinate a variety of economic development activities relating to business development, workforce development, placemaking, housing, and infrastructure. n nPrior to Lamp’s hiring, much of CCPEG’s activities and programming were managed by Nathan Aldrich, Economic Development Coordinator with the Chautauqua County Department of Planning & Development. With the initiative taking hold and several millions of dollars of funding obtained to support over a dozen impactful economic and community development projects and initiatives, the need was quickly identified for a full-time dedicated program manager to ensure that projects get responsibly implemented in compliance with funder requirements. n n“Since CCPEG’s launch, Nate has helped to develop and grow the initiative well beyond any and all expectations,” Geise said. “During the past six years, CCPEG has received regional and statewide recognition and Nate has also been recognized across the state for his role in guiding the Partnership, along with his other duties in county government and the CCIDA. With Josiah’s arrival, Nate can focus his energy and talents on a variety of related county planning and development efforts, while playing a leading role in various projects with the CCIDA, including site development, business attraction/retention activities, and helping to guide and sustain CCPEG well into the future.” n n“We had several qualified candidates apply for the Program Manager position, but at the end of the process Josiah stood out as the top choice, due to his skillset, experience, and familiarity with CCPEG,” Aldrich said. “I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to make CCPEG a viable initiative for economic growth in Chautauqua County and having it serve as a model program for other counties in New York State.” n nLamp received his M.A. in Community Development & Planning from Clark University in Massachusetts in 2011 and received a B.A. in English from Wheaton College in Illinois in 2005. He currently resides in Dunkirk with his family. n n“I am looking forward to helping the Partnership continue its efforts of building and strengthening our local economy by creating new and dynamic programming that assists our many unique communities and our many wonderful organizations,” Lamp said. “Chautauqua County is already a great place to live, work, and do business and I’m excited to help make it even better through my work with CCPEG.” n nThe position is funded in part by a multi-year grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.