Skip Navigation

665 Main Street, Suite 200, Buffalo, NY  •  716.852.7100
  1. ABOUT US
    1. Who We Are
    2. Board of Directors
    3. Business Directory
    4. Membership
    5. Staff Directory
    6. Strategic Partners
    7. Major Investors
    8. Preferred Vendors
    9. Support the Partnership
  2. ADVOCACY
    1. Where We Stand
    2. Legislative Action Agendas
    3. Regional Agenda
    4. Political Action
    5. Great Lakes Metro Chambers
    6. Advocate Now: Action Alert
    7. PartnershipAdvocacy.com
  3. EXPERTISE
    1. Accelerate Upstate
    2. Buffalo Building Reuse Project
    3. Bright Choices Insurance Program
    4. Business Intelligence
    5. Economic Development Resources
    6. The Expert Forum
    7. Leadership Forum
    8. SellingHive
    9. Target Industries
  4. CONNECTIONS
    1. Events
    2. Athena Awards
    3. Innovate 2011
    4. Buffalo Niagara 360 Young Professionals
    5. 2011 Annual Report to Membership
    6. Sponsorships
    7. The HobNob & CEO Auction
  5. NEWS
    1. Press Room
    2. Email from the President
    3. Partnership Blog
    4. Monthly Newsletter
    5. Partnership in the News
    6. Videos

Enhancing Economic Development Tools

Framework for Regional Growth

Goal: Implementation of the FRAMEWORK FOR REGIONAL GROWTH
Background The Framework for Regional Growth is a vision for how the Buffalo Niagara region can most strategically grow over the next 15 years. It was developed in collaboration between Erie and Niagara Counties, and is a roadmap to guide the future growth and development of the region.
Recent Action The Partnership has collaborated with the Amherst Chamber of Commerce on a pilot project urging adoption and implementation of the Framework for Regional Growth in the in the Town of Amherst. The Partnership is working closely with the Erie County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) on gaining support of the five town IDAs - Amherst, Clarence, Concord, Hamburg and Lancaster - on the tiered system of incentives for employers seeking IDA assistance.
Recent Progress

The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning has awarded a contract to Wendel Duchscherer to create a manual for both Niagara and Erie County to follow in implementing the Framework.
Next Steps

Partnership staff will continue its grassroots effort to gain support for the "tiered incentives" program throughout Erie County. We are currently awaiting crafting of the legal language that will enable the IDAs to begin using the "tiered incentive" system.

 

Goal: Implementation of the erie county planning board
Background A key component of the Framework for Regional Growth is the restitution of the Erie County Planning Board. The Board, which existed until the mid-1980s, would engage a broad spectrum of development, conservation and municipal interests in Erie County's Planning Process, and serve as a resource for municipalities implementing the Framework. 
Recent Action

On April 14, the Partnership sent a letter of support to the Erie County Legislature for the institution of an Erie County Planning Board.
Recent Progress The Erie County Legislature approved the "2009 Strategic Reinvestment Act," which establishes the Erie County Planning Board. County Executive Chris Collins vetoed this Local Law. On June 25, a vote to override the veto was defeated, 6-9.
Next Steps As a vital step in the overall implementation of the Framework for Regional Growth, the Partnership will continue to work to building consensus in the community and among elected officials from county and local government for the Planning Board.