By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

As expected, Holiday Valley Ski Resort received help from the County of Cattaraugus Industrial Development Agency for its latest improvements.

Directors unanimously approved a series of actions to help the popular Ellicottville destination undertake a $5.3 million project. It includes the addition of the Sky High Adventure Park, replacement of an aging chairlift with a new quad chairlift, expansion of the pool area at the Inn at Holiday Valley and upgrades to snowmaking and grooming operations.

The incentives were offered to Win Sum Ski Corp., the parent company.

The highest-profile part of the project is the $2.5 million Sky High Adventure Park, a development that will include Aerial Adventure Park and construction of the Mountain Coaster.

The aerial park, which features tree-top ropes courses, is expected to debut May 21 while the Mountain Coaster will welcome riders by early July.

The pool at Inn at Holiday Valley will be expanded to add a larger deck and a second hot tub. The indoor/outdoor pool allows people to swim year-round.

"All of these improvements are necessary to stay fresh and competitive," said Jane Eshbaugh, Holiday Valley director of marketing.

The new quad chairlift will replace the existing SnowPine double chairlift, which services the Bear Club beginner's trail that was constructed this ski season but also offers ski-in/ski-out access to residents of the condominiums at SnowPine Village.

"Holiday Valley is such a major attraction," said Corey Wiktor, executive director of the County of Cattaraugus Industrial Development Agency. "They need to make these continual reinvestments to remain the tourism and hospitality engine that they are to Ellicottville, the county and region."

In addition to Holiday Valley, IDA directors also approved an incentive package for Scott Rotary Seals that will help the company finance the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Olean.

Scott Rotary Seals is shifting its operations from Hinsdale.

The company, which is owned by Minnesota-based interests, is proposing to invest $1.5 million to construct an 11,000-square-foot plant on Franklin Street in Olean. The company employs 10 people and is looking to double that number within two years. It makes timing belts for industrial-strength engines.

Wiktor said he has been working with the company for more than two years to find a suitable location so that it could keep operations in Cattaraugus County rather than shift things back to Minnesota.

"Anytime we can save jobs, especially traditional manufacturing jobs, it is a big plus," he said.