About Us

Chautauqua Opportunities for Development, Inc. (CODI) is a non-profit certified CDFI that was established in 2003. CODI’s affiliate corporation, Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. (COI), created and operated a microenterprise loan fund in 2000. In 2003, CODI was founded and all economic development programs, including lending activities, were transferred to CODI.  It was certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in 2004 by the US Department of the Treasury and became a Community Development Entity in 2006.

CODI’s primary mission is to make capital, training and technical assistance available to entrepreneurs and start-up businesses in the Target Market of Chautauqua County, NY. Technical assistance is provided in both one-on-one and group formats. CODI also currently provides small personal loans to individuals to purchase appliances.

COI and CODI can work with local governments – cities, towns and villages to assess community needs, develop plans and seek out new resources to make every community in Chautauqua County a community of choice.  Recent projects have included main street business development, comprehensive plan technical assistance, and partnering on business loans.