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By JOHN BARTIMOLE | Special to Olean Times Herald August 15, 2026 OLEAN — Olean Business Development Corporation announced the selection of nine businesses for the sixth cohort of its signature program, the Laine Business Accelerator, continuing the entrepreneurial legacy of Erick Laine, former CEO of Cutco Corporation. The 2026 cohort brings together nine businesses representing a diverse range of industries from across the region. Each participating business will receive $5

By JOHN BARTIMOLE | Special to Olean Times Herald July 22, 2026 “I regarded a home as a place I left behind in order to come back to it afterwards.” For many who have left the greater Olean area, only to return years later, Ernest Hemingway’s words ring true. “Since we began our Come Home, Stay Home series, I’ve been amazed at the stories we’ve come across about those who have moved away — for jobs, for education, or just to get away and explore someplace different — who hav

OLEAN — James E. Stitt, executive chairman of Cutco Corporation, is stepping down as chairman of the Olean Business Development Corp., an organization he helped to found as a chief architect of its strategic plan to reinvigorate small business in the greater Olean area. Stitt led a group of investors who bought the then-vacant Olean Business Institute building and spearheaded more than $1.5 million in renovations. He is succeeded as chair by Steve McClain, Cutco’s director of

Greetings from Olean Business Development! OBDC is proud to showcase our 2025 Annual Report, summarizing all of our activity within the past year. If you wish to download a PDF version, please click the download button below:

A special thank you to Camoin Associates for highlighting the current entrepreneurial activity in Cattaraugus County; including the Laine Business Accelerator, CATTalyst COllective, and countless other impactful organizations & programs in our area. To read the full piece, click the link here .

OLEAN — The fifth round of businesses graduated from the Laine Business Accelerator on Tuesday with the annual entrepreneurial showcase. Held at Cutco Theater, the heads of 1907 Wax, Adored Boards, Fuller’s Fabrication, MDA Consulting Engineers, Olean Carpet Cleaning, Pine Hill Cattle Company, Preston Personal Training and Turbo Machining shared their stories and their growth through the 13-week program which aims to provide tools for management and expansion of small busines

OBDC is excited to be a member of the newly formed CATTalyst COllective, which has originated from the Cattaraugus County Economic Development Team created nearly two decades ago. The CATTalyst COllective is a team of economic and entrepreneurial support organizations working collaboratively to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. With support from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, the collective has launched an Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development Strate

OBDC is excited to announce this year's cohort for the Laine Business Accelerator (LBA), consisting of 8 area businesses that are looking to grow and expand their services. This year also marks a significant milestone for the LBA - our fifth cohort of businesses. The business selected for this year's cohort are: 1907 Wax LLC, Adored Boards, Fuller's Fabrication, MDA Consulting Engineers PLLC, Olean Carpet Cleaning, Pine Hill Cattle Company, Preston's Personal Training, and Tu

The Olean area is home to a number of legacy businesses — many that have been in existence for decades, run by the same person or family, since their inception. But what happens when the founder, or the family, no longer wants to run the business? Does it just disappear? “That is a challenge,” Bob Forness, president and executive director of the Olean Business Development Corporation (OBDC), said. And that is why Forness said OBDC is “thrilled” to be the recipient of a 2025 S

OBDC welcomed former Olean Business Institute (OBI) staff, administration, faculty and friends to the Laine Place building entryway on...

Greetings from Olean Business Development! OBDC is proud to showcase our 2024 Annual Report, summarizing all of our activity within the past year. If you wish to download a PDF version, please click the download button below:

Leaders in the Olean-area business community are preparing for growth in the startup economy. Some of that growth has already been a result of the Laine Business Accelerator, which will soon welcome six businesses selected to be part of its 2024 cohort...

OLEAN TIMES HERALD — Officials hope a new revolving loan fund will help new businesses in and around the city get off the ground...

Greetings from Olean Business Development! OBDC is proud to showcase our 2023 Annual Report, summarizing all of our activity within the past year. If you wish to download a PDF version, please click the download button below:

In early 2024, Olean Business Development, in partnership with Jamestown Community College - Workforce Development and the Cattaraugus-Allegany Workforce Development Board, launched the "Come Home, Stay Home" campaign, geared towards the opening of 1,500+ jobs in the Greater Olean and Cattaraugus County Region over the next 3-5 years.

In December of 2023, the Laine Business Accelerator "graduated" 11 area businesses as part of the 2023 Laine Business Accelerator program. Named in memory of former Cutco CEO Erick Laine, this four month program assists businesses with their marketing, strategic, and financial needs.

Greetings from Olean Business Development! OBDC is proud to showcase our 2022 Annual Report, summarizing all of our activity within the past year. If you wish to download a PDF version, please click the download button below:

In December of 2022, OBDC was awarded $625,000 from New York State (Empire State Development), while also designating OBDC as a Certified...

The 2022 Laine Business Accelerator Cohort, comprised of 9 area businesses, were celebrated at the Community Showcase in early December at JCC's Cutco Theater.

August 17, 2022 The second annual Laine Business Accelerator cohort has been selected and is underway, with 9 businesses participating this year thanks to a grant from the KeyBank Foundation. The southeast corner office of Laine Place has been dedicated to the Laine Business Accelerator and will serve as the Program Office. The Hub co-working space is in start-up phase, with initial memberships being taken and 6 offices completing renovation on the Sullivan Street side of the