Blog

The past 12 months have been full of exciting moments for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, our members and our partners.

From expanding talent development initiatives and celebrating regional leadership to advancing employer-focused policy and supporting the next era of American innovation, the BNP continued to lead, convene and advocate on behalf of the Buffalo Niagara business community.

Here’s a look at some of the milestones that shaped 2025.

Buffalo's new home for connecting & convening

Since moving into its new home at 79 Perry St. in March, BNP @ the cobblestone has become a central hub for Western New York’s business community. In the first nine months, the BNP has hosted about 300 reservations and welcomed more than 3,000 visitors for team trainings, networking events, regional conferences and more.

December also marked the unveiling of The Rally Point – a striking wall of recognition featuring nearly 100 member logos that showcases the believers, doers and go-getters powering Buffalo Niagara’s future.

Book your next event or email booking@thepartnership.org to become a registered user.

Celebrating excellence & innovation

The BNP’s inaugural Economic Champions event, presented by KeyBank, recognized 140 outstanding organizations that are driving Western New York’s economy forward. Collectively, this year’s honorees were celebrated for:

• 40 new/added locations
• 95 expansions
• 400+ new jobs
• 1,600+ years of business
• 1.5 million sq. ft. of new space
• $150+ million in investments

Moog Inc. also accepted the 2025 Business of the Year award for adding 285,000 square feet of advanced space, boosting production capacity for critical programs, upskilling the local workforce, and positioning the company for sustained growth and excellence.

Earlier in the year, the BNP also celebrated recently retired National Fuel president Donna DeCarolis with the 2025 Industry Leader Award and West Herr Vice President of Variable Operations Beth Hollis with the 2025 ATHENA Leadership Award.

Developing the next generation of leaders

More than 80 participants across 50 organizations graduated from the BNP’s new leadership development programs this year. Built with feedback from our members, the BNP Grow leadership development and BNP Empower management training programs train and support leaders at every stage of their careers.

BNP Grow participants gained insight into their unique value and a better understanding of how to navigate the workplace for success, with enhanced content and curriculum thanks to a partnership with Niagara University. The University at Buffalo’s Center for Leadership and Global Impact equipped BNP Empower participants with the skills, tools and confidence to lead teams and manage effectively.

Registration is open for the spring 2026 BNP Grow and BNP Empower cohorts →

Key policy wins

Advocacy remained central to the BNP’s work in 2025, driving employer-focused results and supporting sensible solutions to encourage economic development, business investment and job creation:

• Influenced lawmakers to pay off the remaining balance of New York’s Unemployment Insurance Fund, easing this financial burden on businesses that were facing rising premiums and surcharges due to COVID-19.
• Delayed New York State’s costly climate policy mandates, blocked the NY HEAT Act and adopted the pursuit of the safe development of nuclear energy.
• Secured an extension of Brownfield Cleanup Credits for the former Bethlehem Steel site, enabling continued redevelopment of Renaissance Commerce Park.
• Increased aid for providers and an expanded Child Tax Credit to help working parents remain in the workforce.

At the federal level, Congress passed key tax reforms long supported by the BNP – including a permanent small business deduction, lower marginal tax rates, bonus depreciation and deductions for overtime work, R&D expenses and new factory expenses. Congress also expanded semiconductor manufacturing incentives that support the NY SMART I-Corridor.

Buy tickets for the Advocacy Agenda Rollout & Public Officials Reception on Jan. 8 →

Growing the semiconductor ecosystem

A year after receiving one of just 12 federal tech hub designations under the CHIPS and Science Act, the NY SMART I-Corridor continued to link Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse in a collaborative effort to:

• Strengthen supply chains by expanding the capacity and capabilities of existing and potential suppliers through scaled support.
• Build a homegrown workforce by investing in training infrastructure, wraparound supports and access to high-quality manufacturing careers.
• Connect startups, universities, labs and manufacturers that are pushing the boundaries of semiconductor innovation with the tools, expertise and capital needed to bring new products to market.

New events such as the NY SMART I-Corridor Opportunity Exchange brought together manufacturers, business leaders, educators and economic development partners to explore how companies can participate in high-value manufacturing opportunities.

5 stars for 5 more years

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce re-awarded the BNP with its prestigious 5-Star Accreditation, a recognition of sound policies, effective operations and lasting impact on the business community. Only 197 chambers nationwide – and just five in New York State – hold this top-tier status.

The next chapter

In September, the BNP announced that Grant Loomis has been promoted to president and chief operating officer and will succeed Dottie Gallagher as chief executive officer in June 2026. Under Dottie's leadership, the BNP has expanded its team, opened BNP @ the cobblestone and helped position the organization as a leader in the NY SMART I-Corridor. Grant will carry that work forward – ensuring the BNP remains a strong, unifying voice for employers and the region's future growth.