Release date: 11/7/2016
Economic development organization’s work secures $14.9M in investment and 133 new jobs, 149 retained jobs
BUFFALO, NY—Today Invest Buffalo Niagara—the nonprofit, privately funded economic development organization representing the eight counties of Western New York—announced the successful attraction and expansion of seven businesses to the region during its first fiscal quarter. Invest Buffalo Niagara’s fiscal year is July 1st through June 30th.
“We work hard to promote our region’s economic attractiveness and competitiveness on a national and global scale,” said Tom Kucharski, president and CEO of Invest Buffalo Niagara. “Seven businesses investing in this region in three months is a testament to the effectiveness of our research, marketing and business development initiatives. Our outreach efforts are validating the competitiveness of our region across our targeted industries.”
In the last three months, Invest Buffalo Niagara has driven $14.9 million in investment, yielding 133 new jobs and 149 jobs retained. During the months of July, August, and September, Invest Buffalo Niagara was active in the attraction and/or expansion of the following companies:
Sierra Biological (Agribusiness)
8 new jobs | $338,000 investment
Sierra Biological is an early-stage agribusiness company that manufactures microscopic nematodes and other biological organisms used by the commercial greenhouse industry and agricultural applications. Although founded in Northern California in the Sierra Mountains, the company’s primary upstream and downstream supply chains are located on the East Coast of the U.S. and in Southern Ontario, Canada, prompting relocation to Buffalo Niagara. (Located to Lyndonville, Orleans County)
Hamilton Plastics (Advanced Manufacturing)
5 new jobs | $63,400 investment
Hamilton Plastics is a Canadian-based company that manufacturers equipment for the plastic injection molding industry. The company sees an opportunity for continued U.S. growth via a Western New York location, due to a high percentage of U.S. sales and frequent sourcing of raw materials from this market. (Located to City of Niagara Falls, Niagara County)
Herman’s Building Centers (Logistics & Distribution)
32 new jobs | $792,301 investment
Herman’s Building Centers is a Canadian-based company that sells and distributes roofing supplies. Aiming to increase U.S. sales, the company purchased a 38,000 square foot building in West Seneca, NY. (Located to West Seneca, Erie County)
MLP Plumbing and Mechanical (Advanced Manufacturing)
4 new jobs, 3 retained jobs | $925,000 investment
MLP Plumbing and Mechanical is a local commercial plumbing company and mechanical contractor that offers services including design/build and construction management. MLP Plumbing and Mechanical expanded operations by acquiring an existing fabrication shop in Lancaster, NY.
New Flyer of America (Advanced Manufacturing)
32 new jobs | $1,800,000 Investment
New Flyer is the largest manufacturer of transit buses in North America, with 3,800 employees and 13 facilities across the U.S. and Canada. New Flyer was contracted by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City to refresh the system’s bus fleet, and instead of contracting the work, New Flyer opened a manufacturing facility in Jamestown, NY to build transmission and axle assemblies. (Located to City of Jamestown, Chautauqua County)
Power Drives (Advanced Manufacturing)
47 New Jobs, 146 Retained | $10,750,000 Investment
Power Drives is a local manufacturer and distributor of pneumatic and hydraulic components, assemblies and systems. Nearing capacity under the company’s current square footage at locations in Buffalo, NY; Chautauqua, NY; and northwestern PA; Power Drives relocated its fractured manufacturing into one facility in the Larkin District in Buffalo, NY.
Seroclinix (Life Sciences)
5 new jobs | $250,000 investment
Seroclinix is a Canadian-based company that provides diagnostic lab services for specialized animals. With a small facility in Southern Ontario, Seroclinix opened a U.S. flagship site in Buffalo Niagara. (Located to Amherst, Erie County)
More information on the recent businesses attracted to or expanded in Buffalo Niagara during the organization’s first quarter view the InBN Q1 2016/17 Report.
Invest Buffalo Niagara provides an array of economic development tools, services and business intelligence to assist with company expansion or relocation in the eight counties of Western New York. Since its formation in 1999, Invest Buffalo Niagara has been at the forefront of 351 wins, resulting in $6.2 billion in capital investment and over 40,000 jobs. In the last six years alone, Invest Buffalo Niagara’s efforts have resulted in $5.8 billion in economic impact and the creation of 22,585 jobs.
ABOUT INVEST BUFFALO NIAGARA
Invest Buffalo Niagara is the area’s leading private sector economic development and business attraction organization, focused on research, marketing, and business development outreach. With exceptional community connectivity, Invest Buffalo Niagara’s staff provides comprehensive services and project management for companies looking to expand or relocate. From research all the way through ribbon-cutting, Invest Buffalo Niagara is the primary point of contact for economic development in the eight-county Buffalo Niagara region. Learn more: buffaloniagara.org.
