LITTLE VALLEY, N.Y. — The Cattaraugus County Legislature has voted unanimously to apply for a $750,000 state Community Development Block Grant to assist Ellicottville Brewing Co. in establishing a brewery in Little Valley.
In a presentation to the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency, Ellicottville Brewing President Peter Kreinheder said he hopes to be making beer in Little Valley by Thanksgiving of 2017.
Between 25 and 30 jobs are expected to be created when Ellicottville Brewing converts the former King Windows and Salamanca Beverage Corp. building at 202 Second St. into a brewery making 20,000 to 30,000 barrels a year.
The 75,000-square-foot building will house the brewery, which will feature tours for up to 50,000 visitors a year, and a Craft Brewing Science Center and Museum.
The Legislature also approved loaning Ellicottville Brewing $75,000 from the county’s economic development fund from casino revenue sources.
The loan will be used to create a brewery lab and catering operations on the second floor at Ellicottville Brewing’s existing building at 28 Monroe St., Ellicottville. The loan will be repaid in monthly payments over seven years.
Little Valley mayor and former Legislature chairman Norman Marsh attended the meeting in case anyone spoke against it.
“It’s a no-brainer,” Marsh said. “I think it’s a great thing for this village. Improving the property and bringing in some jobs is great.”
The site is close to the Pat McGee Trail, he noted.
The business will provide new revenue to the village from utilities and increased sales taxes, Marsh noted.
“He’s confident he’s going to make a go of it here in Little Valley,” Marsh said of Kreinheder, adding he’s done well in Ellicottville with the restaurant and brewery.
The Ellicottville Brewing brand has extended to restaurant and brewery sites in Dunkirk and Bemus Point in Chautauqua County as well.
The Little Valley site would include an outside venue for concerts and other events.
Sponsors of the resolutions were Howard VanRensselaer, R-Randolph, chairman of the Development and Agriculture Committee, and John Padlo, D-Olean, vice chairman.
