Our Additional Programs

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

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

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...