Press Release from:

Chautauqua Opportunities for Development, Inc.

Contact:

Diane Hewitt, CODI Director of Economic Development

716-366-2334 ext. 12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 8, 2005

CODI’s Microenterprise Loan Fund Helps Area Business to

Add its Music to Fredonia

Robert Volpe, the owner of Zack Rocker Music, recently accepted a $15,000 loan from CODI’s Director of Economic Development, Diane Hewitt. The loan was used to provide start-up costs to open the new music store in the Village of Fredonia. Zack Rocker Music will fill a void left by the Costello’s Music store, where Robert had been employed until it closed. The new retail store is located at 25 Water Street, across from the Old Main Inn, in the Village of Fredonia. Zack Rocker Music will offer musical equipment sales and service, along with sound system installations in homes, houses of worship, schools, and commercial applications. Mr. Volpe also plans to cater to the customer base that had relied on Costello’s for their musical equipment needs for the last 75 years.

Mr. Volpe has substantial experience in the musical field and has always wanted to own his own music store. “When the opportunity arose, I jumped on it”, says Volpe. “I can finally utilize all of my skills and talents, from the understanding and knowledge of musical equipment, to my business and marketing ideas and strategies.” Zack Rocker Music is open from 11 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday and 10 pm to 2 pm on Saturday. Robert can be reached at the store at 672-5176 or via e-mail at zackrockermusic@hotmail.com. But who is Zack Rocker, and what is behind the image? “Zack Rocker is the nickname of my bass player’s son,” states Robert, “It goes back a few years and seemed like the appropriate name, hip, up to date and different. Zack Rocker, the new face in local music!”

Mr. Volpe is a life long resident of Chautauqua County and besides being a musician he is also active in the local snowmobiling community. Currently Vice President of the Chautauqua County Snowmobile Federation and Vice President of the Lake Effect Trailbreakers snowmobile club. “Snowmobiling here in our area,” states Robert “has a positive economic impact on our county.”

“CODI is committed to helping Chautauqua County residents who want to start or expand a small business in our area,” says Diane Hewitt, CODIs Director of Economic Development. “Small businesses are a cornerstone of our economy, but their biggest challenge is often in obtaining start-up funds. This loan is yet another example of our dedication to small business owners to help to alleviate the obstacles they face and to increase economic development in our county.”

CODI’s loan funds can provide loans ranging from $1,000 to $15,000, training, and technical assistance to new or existing micro-entrepreneurs in order to create business opportunities for low to moderate-income individuals in Chautauqua County. Since its inception in February of 2000, CODI has made 49 loans totaling $470,751 to businesses located in many different areas of Chautauqua County, including Cherry Creek, Jamestown, Westfield, Brocton, Fredonia, and Dunkirk. These loans have created and/or retained over 50 jobs and continue to spur new investment in these communities.

If you have questions about the services that CODI offers or are interested in applying for a loan with CODI’s Microenterprise Loan Fund or the Women & Minority Loan Fund, contact Diane Hewitt, Director of Economic Development, at 366-2334 ext. 12.

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