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News and Press

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is proud to work on behalf of our membership.  Whether drawing attention to an important issue or introducing programs and initiatives, our work reflects the needs and wants of WNY's business community.  Here's what we've been doing lately...

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

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | Jun 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

Erie County pilot program to target ‘benefits cliff’

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | May 5, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y. (Spectrum News 1) — Erie County leaders announced a new pilot program aimed to help the working poor. County Executive Mark Poloncarz introduced the Live Well Erie Workforce Development Pilot Project that connects employers, employees and community resources to help people who receive social services overcome the “benefits

State climate change plan praised and panned at public hearing

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | Apr 28, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — The drafters of a new “scoping plan” that will guide how New York State reduces carbon emissions over the next three decades heard Wednesday from area environmental groups who urged them to act quickly, and from labor, utility companies and business groups who warned them against proceeding too fast.

Buffalo Next: Refugee workers offer talent pool for employers struggling to hire

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | Apr 13, 2022

BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — As local employers struggle to fill job openings, there’s a talent pool they might not have considered: refugees who have moved to the Buffalo Niagara region. Some local companies, including Buffalo Wire Works, Confer Plastics and Avanti Advanced Manufacturing, have highlighted their experiences welcoming

Buffalo Next: What to know about the week ahead

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | Apr 11, 2022

WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK BUFFALO, N.Y. (The Buffalo News) — Hiring refugees. The Buffalo Niagara Partnership will host a free webinar on how local employers can hire refugees at 9 a.m. Tuesday. Read more here.

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

By mcotter@thepartnership.org | Apr 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 | Apr 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 | Mar 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