Target Industries

Are you a part of one of our region’s growing industry sectors, and need some one-on-one support with a specific issue, problem or opportunity? Contact our staff leads for each sector:

Agribusiness: Craig Turner
Advanced Manufacturing: Sarah Ham
Life Sciences: Renee Filip
Logistics: Craig Turner
Professional Services: Nadine Powell
Renewable Energy: Sarah Ham

Partnership councils and committees offer industry and issue-specific opportunities for networking; education and making a difference in the region . . . get involved today!

Advanced Manufacturing Industry

The manufacturing industry in Buffalo Niagara has seen more than $500 million in major investments since 1995 by America's top companies. Companies have updated their manufacturing facilities here, in large part, because our region boasts a manufacturing workforce of nearly 100,000 skilled workers. As the national and regional economy moves through the current downturn, local manufacturers are exploring new markets, diversifying and focusing on efficiency and productivity improvements.

Agribusiness Industry

Our agricultural heritage, logistics capability, and manufacturing bench strength combine to make Buffalo Niagara one of the top food and food processing centers in the nation. Agribusiness is the region's largest employer – well over a thousand food and food processing companies make their home here. New York is the third-largest dairy producing state in the U.S., and much of that industry is concentrated in Buffalo Niagara. Grain-related food producers take advantage of Buffalo Niagara’s location. Grain is barged in via the St. Lawrence Seaway from the Midwest and Canadian bread baskets. In addition, Western New York is one of the country’s most important wine growing regions.

Life Science Industry

Buffalo Niagara is home to the institutions and businesses that are developing and creating the products that make our lives healthier. From the major centers of research such as the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus to the cutting edge medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers, Buffalo Niagara is home to nearly 130 businesses and institutions employing more than 6,500 employees. Our bi-national Buffalo Niagara region, located within the Golden Horseshoe, gives companies access to the expanded global opportunities.

Logistics Industry

Buffalo Niagara’s Great Lakes waterfront – Lake Ontario and Lake Erie – make our region a shipping and logistics hub, providing a market that no other city in the U.S. or Canada can match. The region is home to eight international ports of entry (4 auto, 3 rail, 1 water), facilitating $81 billion in annual trade between Canada and the U.S. – that’s 30 percent of the total trade conducted between the world's two largest trading partners, volume that is growing by 20 percent annually. Buffalo Niagara is within one day’s travel reach of 55 percent of U.S. population – including nine million consumers in New York City; 65 percent of the Canadian population, including four million consumers in Toronto; and 70 percent of Canadian manufacturing firms.

Professional Services Industry

Buffalo Niagara has the resources to support world class professional services and back office industry. With well-developed telecom, transportation networks, and a strong workforce pipeline, the region is home to operations for some of the nation’s largest employers. Over 16,000 local residents are employed in the back office functions in over 50 companies, and professional service employers provide quality services to firms around the world that rival those provided in major cities.

We also invite you to learn more about our other featured initiatives:

Local Development Advisory Group

The Development Advisory Group works to identify, address and advocate for issues that impact development throughout the region. The group consists of representatives from the development community, transportation, real estate and infrastructure industries among others. One of its most important roles of this group is working on the Regional Agenda to identify policy and funding priorities for the Buffalo Niagara Region

Government Affairs Committee

The Government Affairs Committee (GAC) of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership focuses on how to advance the business community’s goals with local, state and federal government. The GAC regularly meets with elected officials, drives the Partnership’s candidate endorsement and evaluation process, and provides counsel on government relations strategy aimed at achieving the objectives of the Partnership’s NOW Campaign and Regional Agenda. The council also sponsors events the give Partnership members access to the region’s elected officials including, the Congressional Briefing Series, Buffalo Niagara Night in Albany, Elected Officials Reception and more.

Thank you to our Industry Sponsors: