CATTARAUGUS — Big things are happening in the village of Cattaraugus as a new manufacturing company begins setting up operations, while a revitalization grant is expected to help transform the community and make improvements possible.

The former SetterStix plant at 261 S. Main St. is being revived by Daich Coatings Corporation, a Canadian company based in Hamilton, Ontario. Daich manufactures architectural and concrete finishes for Do-It-Yourselfers and professional users. Their natural, water-based coatings are sold at various stores in Canada, as well as in the United States at Home Depot, Lowe’s and Menards in the Midwest region.

At the Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency’s (CCIDA) September meeting, Daich Coatings requested a series of tax breaks for the $1.2 million project that was approved.

Corey Wiktor

On Oct. 30, IDA Executive Director Corey Wiktor said Daich purchased the building outright since the meeting and would be starting to move equipment into the facility this week.

Daich Coatings’ Cattaraugus plant will be the company’s first U.S. manufacturing and distribution hub. Wiktor said the company is expecting to start production sometime in December or January.

The IDA is looking to have a targeted job fair for the company. Wiktor said Daich plans to hire 20 to 25 new employees, which is a conservative number and may end up being more in the future.

“What’s nice is this physical location in Cattaraugus will be the company’s headquarters in the U.S.,” he said. “Albeit small, they will continue to grow their market share in the states and products in that related growth will be manufactured right here in the village of Cattaraugus.”

The 60,000-square-foot facility on South Main Street has sat empty since 2021, when Setterstix relocated its operations to South Carolina.

Wiktor said Peter Daich, president of the company, had been looking for an opportunity to develop a U.S. presence to make the coatings for several years. He said Cushman & Wakefield | Pyramid Brokerage Company in Buffalo held the contract to sell the building, and they were actively promoting it. Cattaraugus happened to be a location not too far from Hamilton — within a few hours’ drive.

“They want to expand and have a U.S. presence at a U.S. location with U.S. employees,” he said. “They really want to become part of the fabric of the community.”

Cattaraugus Mayor Anthony Nagel said discussions regarding the project began earlier this year, with the village and CCIDA engaging in early conversations about the company’s potential investment.

“This project represents a tremendous opportunity for our community,” he said. “The addition of a new manufacturing operation will bring local jobs, renewed energy to an existing industrial site, and added momentum to our broader efforts to revitalize the Cattaraugus business district and surrounding area. We’re thrilled to welcome Daich Coatings and look forward to supporting their successful launch here.”

A view of North Main Street in the heart of the village of Cattaraugus.

File

THANKS TO A $10 million grant awarded to the village of Cattaraugus last spring, the state Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) program will help revitalize the downtown business district and support local businesses, enhancing the overall quality of life for residents and visitors.

The mayor said the DRI planning process is moving forward with great progress. The local planning committee has completed most of its meetings, he said, and the final slate of transformative projects is being prepared for submission to New York State for review.

“The proposals reflect a balance of public- and private-sector investments, ranging from streetscape improvements and pedestrian enhancements to the rehabilitation of historic buildings and the creation of new community gathering spaces,” he said. “Each project is designed to strengthen our Main Street corridor, attract new business investment, and celebrate the village’s historic character and small-town charm.”

According to Nagel, they’ve seen encouraging momentum. He said several new businesses have recently opened or expanded, including Evergreen Floral & Gifts, Whispering Willow, the addition of a hobby shop at Brick Lane Speedway, Rocketcup Coffee’s collegiate coffee branding and Daich Coatings’ upcoming operation.

“These developments are tangible signs of the revitalization we envisioned when we applied for the DRI — more energy, more investment and a growing sense of optimism in downtown Cattaraugus,” the mayor said.

Nagel said the Revolution Rail project, designed to complement the village’s ongoing economic development efforts, did a soft launch event in early October, giving residents and visitors a preview of what’s to come.

“The initial pop-up rides were completely sold out, and additional runs were added to meet demand — an encouraging sign of the strong public interest in this new attraction,” he said. “Earlier this year, the IDA approved a multi-year lease agreement with the company for the operation of approximately three miles of track along the New York and Lake Erie Railroad line, running from the historic depot area into the scenic countryside. The project has generated tremendous enthusiasm and we expect to see full operations begin in the coming season.”

Nagel said they are proud of the progress being made across all these initiatives and deeply appreciative of the partnerships — local, regional, and state — that are helping bring new opportunity and vitality to the village of Cattaraugus.