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Buffalo Niagara sits at the center of one of North America’s busiest trade corridors. As the third largest bi-national metro region, with a population of approximately 9 million, our location offers a strategic advantage but also comes with responsibility.

On Mar. 20, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership convened transportation and logistics leaders for the 2025 Transportation Industry Leaders Forum (ILF) to discuss how the sector can navigate new sustainability demands, policy shifts, and infrastructure needs to keep the region—and its economy—moving forward across roadways, borders, and communities.

The Challenge: A sustainable path for cross-border trade and mobility

Panelists and attendees tackled sector-defining questions:

How can we sustain binational commerce while preparing for proposed federal tariffs on Canadian goods?
What infrastructure is needed to support the rise of electric vehicles and cleaner transit options?
How can smarter route optimization reduce delivery times, emissions, and congestion for freight and passenger travel?

Expert insights from transportation leaders

The session featured a dynamic panel representing freight, public transit, regional planning, EV infrastructure, and sustainable business:

• Meaghan Phillips, Director of Freight Brokerage/3PL, Speed Global Services
• Whitney Skeans, Lead Program Manager, Electric Vehicles – NY, National Grid
• Darren Kempner, Director of Grants & Development, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA)
• Kelly Dixon, Principal Planner, GBNRTC
• Anna Attea, Executive Director, Western New York Sustainable Business Roundtable

Their insights addressed the potential impact of federal trade policies, like tariffs that could disrupt Canadian imports, which is a critical issue for our binational economy. Panelists also emphasized the need for ongoing investment in EV charging infrastructure, noting the momentum across public and private sectors to meet growing demand.

Additionally, local planning leaders highlighted route optimization as both a sustainability and efficiency tool, especially as supply chains adapt to new expectations around speed and environmental impact.

Why It Matters

Buffalo Niagara’s economy relies on efficient, cross-border transportation. As regulations evolve and sustainability becomes non-negotiable, our region must embrace innovation—from freight optimization to electrified fleets to smarter policy alignment.

The BNP’s ILF series continues to serve as a space for collaboration, foresight, and action across sectors. As 2025 progresses, we’ll explore how other key industries—from finance to small business—are rising to meet their own sustainability challenges.

Stay tuned for insights from upcoming ILF sessions. Want to be part of the conversation? Learn more about BNP’s Industry Leaders Forum here