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About Us

OBDC was formed in 2013 and solidified in 2015 with the purchase of the former Olean Business Institute building, an 1895 built landmark in downtown Olean.

Meet the Team

Our Staff

Bob Forness

President and Executive Director

Bobi Cornelius

Business Manager

Sean Campbell

Business Development & Operations Associate

Board of Directors

James E. Stitt

Chairman

Executive Chairman - Cutco Corporation

Steve McClain

Second Vice Chair

Digital Marketing Manager

Cutco Corporation

Mike Fischer

Treasurer

Professor of Accounting

St. Bonaventure University

Jeff Gingerich

President

St. Bonaventure University

Brent Driscoll

Retired CFO

Cutco Corporation

Kirk Windus

Executive Director
Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation

Mike Smith

First Vice Chair

Vice President of Lending

High Point Federal Credit Union

Daniel DeMarte

Secretary

President

Jamestown Community College

Evelyn Sabina

Executive Director

CA-DIDI

Corey Wiktor

Executive Director

Cattaraugus County

Industrial Development Agency

Dr. Matrecia James

Dean of the School of Business

St. Bonaventure University

News

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8 Businesses selected to participate in 2025 Laine Business Accelerator Cohort

August 22, 2025

OBDC is excited to announce this year's cohort for the Laine Business Accelerator . . .

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OBDC to support local businesses with Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) program

August 18, 2025

The Olean area is home to a number of legacy businesses — many that have . . .

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OBDC unveils plaques honoring Olean Business Institute & The McCarthy Family

April 21, 2025

OBDC welcomed former Olean Business Institute (OBI) staff, administration, faculty . .

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2024 Annual Report

March 13, 2024

Greetings from Olean Business Development! OBDC is proud to . . .

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Buffalo Next Article focuses on LBA and Come Home/Stay Home

September18, 2024

Leaders in the Olean-area business community are preparing for growth in . . .

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OBDC Launches Revolving Loan Fund - August 8, 2024

August 8, 2024

OLEAN TIMES HERALD — Officials hope a new revolving loan fund will help . . .

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2023 Annual Report

April 6, 2024

Greetings from Olean Business Development! OBDC is proud to . . .

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Come Home, Stay Home’: Olean Business Development Corp. hopes to help fill 1,500 jobs

March 28, 2024

In early 2024, Olean Business Development, in partnership with Jamestown . . .

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Laine Business Accelerator showcases 2023 Cohort

December 6, 2023

In December of 2023, the Laine Business Accelerator "graduated" 11 area . . .

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2022 Annual Report

January 1,2023

Olean Business Development is proud to publish our 2022 Annual Report. To view . . .

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NYS awards $625,000 to Olean Business Development

December 17, 2022

In December of 2022, OBDC was awarded $625,000 from New York State . . .

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Laine Business Accelerator celebrates 2022 Cohort

December 6,2022

The 2022 Laine Business Accelerator Cohort, comprised of 9 area . . .

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2022 and Beyond

August 17, 2022

The second annual Laine Business Accelerator cohort has been selected . . .

Laine Place

June 27, 2022

As a tribute to the legacy of Erick Laine, the OBDC Board of Directors . . .

Initial Laine Business Accelerator

September 17, 2021

After the passing of one of the co-founders of Cutco Corporation, Mr. Erick Laine . . .

Move to the 4th floor

August 17, 2021

Continued growth and demand for the newly renovated office spaces . . .

Creation of the Hub

August 1, 2021

As the collaboration between the SBU Innovation Center, JCC and OBDC

Strategic Plan Developed

August 1, 2019

The influence of a very active OBDC Board of Directors lead to a much . . .

Renovation Timeline

August 1, 2017

Part of the new business model was to renovate the building, which hadn’t been . . .

Early Programming

August 1, 2016

Activity in the building was focused on providing office co-working . . .

Purchase of the OBI Building

August 31, 2015

In 2015, 301 N Union Street was purchased by 2 entrepreneurs to establish . . .

Birth of Family Partners Group

July 20, 2013

In 2013 we originally started out as a not-for-profit known as . . .

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Pre OBDC

January 1, 2013

Constructed in 1895, our building at 301 N Union St was originally the . . .

Special thanks to the Olean Historical Society for providing many of the older building photos.
Please check them out on the Olean Historical Society Facebook Page !

Visit Us at Laine Place

301 N. Union Street Olean, NY 14760 4th Floor | Suite 401