Last year's regional economic development planning process resulted in more than just funding for worthy projects in our region.  The five year plan developed by the WNY council titled A Strategy for Prosperity in Western New York also identified key proposals, initiatives and reforms that if successfully pursued and implemented could have a significant, long term positive impact on our economy. 

An exciting opportunity identified was the creation of a bi-national logistics hub that would enhance our region's ability to take advantage of the tremendous economic potential associated with our bi-national location.  To further this objective a strategic planning session facilitated by the University at Buffalo's Regional Institute will be held next Wednesday, March 28th, at 2:00 p.m. at the Buffalo Club.  The session is designed to solicit input from logistics/trade facilitators and stakeholders, and then build consensus that will be utilized in the development of a strategic plan to create a bi-national logistics hub in Western New York.

Logistics and distribution has been a targeted industry for the BNE since our formative days and for good reason.  Since 2001 we have posted 36 logistics and distribution project wins representing more than $45 million in investment and creating and retaining more than 1,300 jobs.  Going back to 2002, more than $450 million has been invested in our region by 51 Canadian companies that have also created and retained more than 1,300 jobs.  I believe our potential in this industry and in bi-national economic development attraction is even greater than the successes we have realized to date, and I look forward the progress I hope will be kick started by next week's planning session.  Any logistics stakeholder interested in participating should contact Janet Murray at jmurray@esd.ny.gov.

Our partners and colleagues at the Genesee County Economic Development Center held their annual meeting today and announced some very impressive results.  In a portfolio that includes attraction, expansion, retention and infrastructure projects, the GCEDC reported 30 project wins for 2011.  These wins resulted in committed investment totaling $51.3 million and pledges to create 170 jobs throughout the county.  And again last year, the City of Batavia was recognized as one of the Top Ten Micropolitans in the United States. 

The keynote address made by representatives of PepsiCo and the Muller Group, the two companies behind "Project Wave", a soon to be formally announced BNE project win that will invest $206 million to build a new yogurt facility in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.  Mark Koenig, Director of Engineering and Technology at the PepsiCo Global Nutrition Group sounded like one of our staff in promoting the assets that led to the project locating in our region.  The availability and the quality of the milk supply, the shovel ready site, and the tremendous collaboration among the economic development and community partners were all included in Koenig's remarks as he explained our community was the only place they could find where they could do a 30 month project in only 18 months.  Congratulations to GCEDC President & CEO Steve Hyde and his entire staff on their vision and commitment in the development of the agri-business park and another great year. 

Thomas A. Kucharski

President & CEO

takucharski@buffaloniagara.org

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