Made in CHQ Charter

Our Purpose

Made in CHQ exists to celebrate, support, and strengthen local creativity, craftsmanship, innovation, practical skills, and entrepreneurship throughout Chautauqua County.
We believe our communities already possess incredible talent, knowledge, experience, and creativity. Made in CHQ was created to help make those strengths more visible, more connected, and more valued.

Our purpose is to encourage local production, support makers and creators, create pathways for opportunity, and help build a stronger culture of making, creating, repairing, innovating, and producing within our community.

Our Vision

We envision a future where:

  • Local makers are recognized and celebrated.
  • Practical skills are valued and passed on.
  • More products are created locally.
  • Reusable materials become opportunities rather than waste.
  • Creativity and innovation thrive in every community.
  • Small businesses and micro-enterprises have greater visibility and support.
  • People actively seek and support products carrying the Made in CHQ identity.

We believe strong communities are built when local people are empowered to create, produce, and contribute.

Our Values

Community

We believe in supporting one another and creating opportunities that benefit our communities.

Creativity

We celebrate creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and the ability to transform ideas into value.

Practical Skills

We recognize the importance of hands-on skills, craftsmanship, making, repairing, and learning.

Stewardship

We encourage thoughtful use of resources, reuse when possible, and responsible production.

Collaboration

We believe better outcomes happen when makers, organizations, businesses, and community members work together.

Opportunity

We support pathways that help people learn, grow, create, earn, and contribute.

Eligibility

Products, projects, services, or initiatives may be recognized as Made in CHQ if they:

Are created, produced, designed, assembled, or significantly transformed within Chautauqua County

01

Are created by individuals, makers, organizations, businesses, or community groups based in Chautauqua County.

02

Contribute to the growth of local creativity, production, innovation, craftsmanship, or entrepreneurship within Chautauqua County.

03

Made in CHQ is inclusive and welcomes participation from:

  • Makers
  • Artists
  • Craftspeople
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Innovators
  • Community organizations
  • Educational institutions
  • Small businesses
  • Local producers
  • Creative groups

Our Commitment

Participants who use or participate in the Made in CHQ identity agree to:

  • Represent their work honestly.
  • Respect fellow makers and participants.
  • Contribute positively to the community.
  • Support a culture of learning and collaboration.
  • Uphold the values of Made in CHQ.
  • Help strengthen local creativity, production, and opportunity.

Looking Forward

Made in CHQ is more than a label.

It is a shared commitment to supporting the people, skills, ideas, products, and opportunities that make Chautauqua County unique.

Together, we are helping build a future where more products, ideas, businesses, and innovations are proudly:MADE IN CHQ

Made in CHQ 

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