Skip to content

In the News

Local businesses say they’re still having a hard time finding qualified workers to fill positions

Blog Categories

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — It appears Erie county's economy is off to a strong start in 2023. That's according to the county executive and an historic new "unemployment report" for our region. But, is this really good news for local businesses?

County Executive Mark Poloncarz says our area actually needs "many more" workers to meet the job demand. & news spoke with a local staffing agency, AP Professionals and they agree.

In a Buffalo Niagara Partnership pulse survey from this past fall, employers' rate "finding and retaining qualified talent" as their top concern. The report found "three in four businesses" have open positions. 77-percent plan to hire new people this year as well.

Read more here.

Related Posts

Business groups in NY back federal assault weapons ban

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | June 6, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — A coalition of business groups in New York State, including the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, is calling for Congress to reinstate a ban on assault-style weapons – an unusual issue for business advocates to throw their weight behind. “While gun control may not be a

Regional Business Organizations Call For Federal Assault Weapons Ban; Say It’s Time For Business Leaders To Speak Up

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | June 6, 2022

ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. (RCBJ) — The New York Business community is stepping out of its usual advocacy and education roles and advocating for gun control; to begin, a coalition of business organizations are calling for a federal assault weapons ban.

Transportation to suburban jobs remains challenge for some city residents

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | May 9, 2022

Erie County recently announced a program designed to assist small businesses that may have lost revenue during the COVID pandemic, helping them with exterior façade upgrades and improvements that will in turn attract new customers, business and revenue. The program will grant eligible small businesses in Erie County up to $40,000 to renovate their storefronts to increase foot traffic into their stores.

Two-year pilot program to support working individuals from public benefits to self-sufficiency

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | May 5, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Erie County elected officials have launched a “Live Well Erie Workforce Development” program to help fight labor shortage. The CEO of Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Dottie Gallagher, passionately says the project focuses on having solutions to the workforce shortage. “It’s a demonstration project that says you can