Skip to content

In the News

Worker shortage top of mind for employers

Blog Categories

BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — With the region's unemployment rate running at historic lows, companies are scrambling to recruit and keep talent.

But it's a complex problem for employers to solve.

"We cannot ignore that we live in a region where the workforce participation rate is less than the national average," Dottie Gallagher, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership's president and CEO, said Thursday. "There are significant systemic barriers that block too many people from participating more fully in the workforce system."

Employers are trying everything from higher pay to flexible hours to signing bonuses. Gallagher, in the business group's annual report to membership, touched on other efforts to build up the workforce.

Read more here.

Related Posts

Buffalo Niagara Partnership: state budget makes some historic moves, misses in other areas

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | April 9, 2022

From unemployment insurance to Brownfield Cleanup, Western New York’s chamber of commerce had some critiques for the budget. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WGRZ) — The Buffalo Niagara Partnership offered mixed reviews on Friday regarding the state’s pending budget deal. Their key complaint? The budget does not include measures that would lessen the

State gas tax ‘holiday’ idea fuels debate

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | April 7, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — Gasoline prices at the pump are 54% higher locally than a year ago. But if some state lawmakers have their way, motorists would pay less when they fuel up, through a state gas tax holiday. The Buffalo Niagara Partnership says the state is “flush

Buffalo Urban Development Corp. eyes increased funding for downtown development program

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | March 31, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y. (Buffalo Business First) — Nine years into its existence, the Buffalo Building Reuse Program may be in for a revamp that would increase subsidy levels and allow financial support of new downtown construction. Dottie Gallagher, Buffalo Niagara Partnership president and CEO, said it may be time to make

Help Wanted: Buffalo CEOs say the region is falling short on hiring

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | March 31, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — Don Levy, director of the Siena College Research Institute, calls it the “workforce blues.”

Put simply, employers struggle to fill job openings – even as they feel upbeat about their growth prospects.