New York State and the Buffalo Niagara region in particular, can indeed compete for jobs and investment in the constantly changing advanced manufacturing industry cluster.  That was a primary and encouraging theme at the New York State Economic Development Council annual meeting held in Cooperstown this past week. 

Numerous speakers and workshops focused on how the evolution from heavy manufacturing to highly technical and innovation driven processes has created a demand for educational curriculum and workforce training programs required to develop and prepare the manufacturing workforce of the future.  As part of BNE's economic development attraction efforts we utilize tools like our new EMSI Analyst software to identify jobs and skills needed across our various industry clusters.  This knowledge offers us a competitive advantage as we connect our attraction prospects with our education partners and workforce development agencies.

Besides professional training and setting a course of action for our industry, this annual gathering of economic development practitioners also honors excellence in our industry.  BNE received "Awards of Excellence" in the website, printed materials and development brochure categories, and was recognized with "Best of Class" designation for multi-media and printed & electronic newsletters.  BNE investor and economic development partner Steve Hyde, President & CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, was named the 2012 Economic Developer of the Year.  A very deserving recipient, Steve was recognized for his energy, commitment to his organization and community, and his vision in developing shovel ready sites like the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park, home to two very large BNE food processing project wins. 

The Business Incubator Association of New York State (BIA/NYS) held its 2012 Annual Meeting in Buffalo Niagara last Friday at the New York State Center for Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences.  Our local chapter of the BIA/NYS includes the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, the SUNY Fredonia Technology Incubator, Mancuso Business Development Group's Harrison Place and the University at Buffalo's incubator program which includes the UB Technology Incubator, Directed Energy and the UB's Clinical and Translational Research Center.

Of great value to our business development staff in attendance was the Innovate NY Seed Capital Fund workshop.  The Innovate NY Fund program awarded over $25 million to six investment fund entities across the state with the goal of leveraging $50 million in private investment and the creation of over 2,200 jobs.  Four of the six funds in the program participated in the workshop and educated participants on their areas of specialty, their average or preferred deal size and other minimum requirements.  We anticipate that this program will be of great benefit in attracting innovative entrepreneurs and other small businesses to invest in New York State and the Buffalo Niagara region.

Thomas A. Kucharski

President & CEO

takucharski@buffaloniagara.org

Buffalo Niagara Enterprise

Regional Economic Development

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