ABOUT US
We Exist to Help Prosper
Buffalo Niagara
Invest Buffalo Niagara is the region’s nonprofit, privately funded economic development organization representing the eight counties of Western New York.
Our mission is to attract new employers to the Buffalo Niagara region; to support business attraction, expansion, and entrepreneurship. To do so, Invest Buffalo Niagara collaborates with existing local businesses, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, and elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels to deliver a unified response to regional economic development opportunities.
The team of professional economic development consultants at Invest Buffalo Niagara provides free and confidential services to companies considering the Buffalo Niagara region, particularly for the first time.
Our Investors
Shaping the Future of Business
Our Partners
Invest Buffalo Niagara's Key Partners
Great partners make all the difference. And we’ve got some that really shine. Their efforts are critical to sustaining our local economy.
New York State Economic Development
Local Economic & Industrial Development Agencies
Development Corporations
Workforce Development
Economic Development Associations
Visitor and Convention Bureaus
Our Impact
Transforming the Business Landscape
- Custom site location assistance
- Detailed site/building information
- Labor market analysis and demographics
- Tailored market research
- Facilitation of state and local incentive programming
- Personal community and site tours
- Introductions to professional service providers and partners
- Meetings with community and business leaders
- Assistance with workforce and recruitment training needs
Wins & Success Stories
See of our clients wins & success stories!
Success Story
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Avanti Advanced Manufacturing
Victory Manufacturing is a Canadian injection molding company based in Waterloo, Ontario. Their U.S. expansion, Avanti Advanced Manufacturing, set up shop in Buffalo Niagara in 2011. The new operation manufactures detectable tactiles, construction products, and customized injection molding projects with the capability to go from concept to prototype to end-product with significant speed. Avanti Advanced Manufacturing specializes in mandatory safety installations including raised bump floor warnings for the visually impaired, stair grips and new, glow in the dark exit door signs that last much longer than battery operated versions. The new division started with six injection molding machines and has already expanded to nine. The company has also added sand blasting, powder coat and painting, and laser engraving capabilities, as well as a CNC router.
Success Story
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Welded Tube USA
Headquartered in Concord (Toronto), Ontario, Welded Tube is a manufacturer of steel tubing, whose process is comprised of taking flat steel and forming it into round tubing 4½ to 9 inches in diameter, in custom lengths. The tubes are used for well casings and for other purposes at natural gas drilling sites, a growing market as drilling activity has grown rapidly in shale formations in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The company currently employs more than 600 people in North America.
Success Story
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Microart
Microart, a company out of Markham, Ontario, manufactures circuit boards used in the aerospace, medical device and electronics industries. The company has a growth mindset, which has allowed the Canadian headquarters to grow to 279 employees and helped drive the need for a U.S. expansion. Acquiring a U.S. company was Microart’s preferred way to start their U.S. operations and they identified a company in Buffalo that was well suited to their operations and needs.
Success Story
Sparq
Sparq (formally Rural Sourcing) provides outsourced software development services to build, deploy and optimize critical online applications. The company operates eight sites through the United States and was seeking additional market expansion to fulfill current business obligations and capture additional market growth opportunities. The company was interested in investigating a potential region’s IT ecosystem, workforce and higher education, operating costs, and quality of life benefits.
Success Story
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Lynch Fluid Controls Inc.
Lynch Fluid Controls Inc. is a manufacturing company based in Ontario, Canada producing hydraulic and control products.They supply the aerospace, military, and material handling industries. In Canada, they own a 60,000 sq. ft. building and employ upwards of 90 employees. They started to see potential in the U.S. market in rising sales numbers on this side of the border. They were also bringing nearly half of their raw materials over from the U.S. Rather than purchasing an existing business in the area, Lynch decided on an expansion project.
Success Story
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Surmet Ceramics
Surmet is a Massachusetts-based advanced materials manufacturer with operations in Buffalo. The company produces high-tech transparent ceramic powders and coatings used in aerospace and defense applications. Surmet was investing in new technology and equipment in order to consolidate its forming and heat-treating capabilities into one location where it would produce transparent ceramic windows, lenses and armor. For this expansion of capabilities, space, and workforce, Surmet considered several options including Buffalo Niagara and at its headquarters in Burlington, Massachusetts.
Incentives: Empire State Development Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit award, New York Power Authority expansion/retention power allocation, Erie County IDA sales tax abatement
Our Team
Meet the Invest Buffalo Niagara Team
Our staff brings a wide range of expertise in business development, client service, real estate, finance, research, marketing, event planning, graphic design, and public and investor relations.
![InBN-Staff-Tom InBN-Staff-Tom](https://b3391234.smushcdn.com/3391234/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/InBN-Staff-Tom-qs9vnufxu93mucxp4oxm5yd1no6i6ed2wb6ccyq3jo.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![](https://b3391234.smushcdn.com/3391234/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/InBN-Staff-Tom.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Thomas Kucharski
President & CEO
“This is a region where life works both professionally and personally. The quality of life and the people are unmatched by any others I’ve experienced elsewhere. And where else could I have sailed in the morning, played golf in the afternoon and skied in the evening – all in the same day?”
Thomas Kucharski
President & CEO
![InBN-Staff-Headshots-Erin-Sinclair-1-415×476-1 InBN-Staff-Headshots-Erin-Sinclair-1-415x476-1](https://b3391234.smushcdn.com/3391234/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/InBN-Staff-Headshots-Erin-Sinclair-1-415x476-1-qs9vrv732qlsib3fnfi5txu150d13sbqs7n49krgxg.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![](https://b3391234.smushcdn.com/3391234/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/InBN-Staff-Headshots-Erin-Sinclair-1-415x476-1-895x1024.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Erin Sinclair
Senior Administrator
Before joining the Invest Buffalo Niagara team, she worked as an administrative assistant for a real estate company. Outside of work, Erin coaches’ soccer to children aged three to six years old. She also plays rec soccer for a local team. Erin enjoys checking out the Buffalo food scene as well as going to Buffalo Bills games.
Erin Sinclair
Senior Administrator
![Matthew-Hubacher Matthew-Hubacher](https://b3391234.smushcdn.com/3391234/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Matthew-Hubacher-qs9vo10t63cn3mo529s05ep9tda2oa3797qqpwgcc4.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![](https://b3391234.smushcdn.com/3391234/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Matthew-Hubacher.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Matthew Hubacher
Vice President of Research
Before joining Invest Buffalo Niagara, Matthew worked on Capitol Hill as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Congressman Tom Latham for five years. Matthew holds a master’s in Education Policy from the University of Maryland-College Park and a bachelor’s in Secondary Education from Niagara University. He lives in Clarence Center with his wife and three daughters and is active in his community, most notably serving on the Board of Directors of the Clarence Girls Softball League.
“My life works where I was born and raised. I’m proud to be from Buffalo Niagara, a region that has all of the attractions of a large metropolitan area without the exorbitant cost of living. I moved from the region after college and returning home and being close to family and friends was a dream come true.”
Matthew Hubacher
Vice President of Research
![InBN_2022-New-Staff-Headshots-Rob-415×476-1 InBN_2022-New-Staff-Headshots-Rob-415x476-1](https://b3391234.smushcdn.com/3391234/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/InBN_2022-New-Staff-Headshots-Rob-415x476-1-qs9vryyfu2qxsqxz1h4o3wvvijuhykqo4q926olw8k.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![](https://b3391234.smushcdn.com/3391234/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/InBN_2022-New-Staff-Headshots-Rob-415x476-1.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Rob Leteste
Bus. Intelligence & Workforce Mgmt.
Rob was brought to UB to coordinate the Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences’ NYSTAR Center for Advance Technology (CAT) and STARTUP NY programs. In this role, he supported entrepreneurs and business leaders to convert innovation and incentives into economic opportunity. With these new opportunities top of mind, Rob was recruited to SUNY Erie to manage multiple Career & Technical Education grants which funded curricula updates to better prepare students for work.
In recent years, Rob has pursued extensive training in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This education began with programming sponsored by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, and was expanded upon with his participation in the national Education Pioneers fellowship. Rob holds a strong belief that an equitable community will expand the economic prosperity in every corner of WNY.
Rob received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Economics from UB in 2009. He also completed his master’s degree in Education from UB. He is an alum of Americorps and Education Pioneers. Rob calls Buffalo’s Elmwood Village home, and is a fond patron of its many cafes.
Rob Leteste
Bus. Intelligence & Workforce Mgmt.
![Sarah-Larson_Head-Shot-383×476-1 Sarah-Larson_Head-Shot-383x476-1](https://b3391234.smushcdn.com/3391234/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Sarah-Larson_Head-Shot-383x476-1-qs9vrzwa0ws84cwlvzjaoenc3xpv69ueguwjnyki2c.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
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Sarah Larson
Brand & Creative Director
Sarah first joined InBN as the organizations Senior Graphic Designer and Website Manager, before earning the privilege of leading a talented, three-person marketing department, its operations, budget, and effectiveness as Marketing Manager. Before joining InBN in 2004, Sarah spent more than five years as a Graphic Designer at WKBW-TV.
Sarah has a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the Rochester Institute of Technology. She channels her creative energy as well as her passion for education and children through volunteerism. Sarah has spent many years serving her local Parent Teacher Organization board, the towns Baseball and Softball board, coaching travel softball, teaching religious education, and serving on the Ralph C. Wilson Explore & More Children’s Museum board. When not working or volunteering, Sarah can be found spending quality time with her husband and three children.
Sarah Larson
Brand & Creative Director
![InBN_2020-New-Staff-Headshots-Greg-1-415×476-1 InBN_2020-New-Staff-Headshots-Greg-1-415x476-1](https://b3391234.smushcdn.com/3391234/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/InBN_2020-New-Staff-Headshots-Greg-1-415x476-1-qs9vs1ryekusrktvl0cjte69apgllo1v547imihppw.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![](https://b3391234.smushcdn.com/3391234/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/InBN_2020-New-Staff-Headshots-Greg-1-415x476-1.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
Greg Pokriki
Communications Manager
Greg Pokriki
Communications Manager
![HeadShot_Carlton-Closeupweb-361×476-1 HeadShot_Carlton-Closeupweb-361x476-1](https://b3391234.smushcdn.com/3391234/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/HeadShot_Carlton-Closeupweb-361x476-1-qs9vs4lgz2ynqeps4jkfivgn2v2p8rd25i5z2cdj78.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
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Carlton X. Sanders
Graphic Designer
Before joining Invest Buffalo Niagara Carlton worked for one of the top companies in consumer-based technology. He used his technical knowledge and friendly demeanor to achieve high customer satisfaction year-round.
Being a Buffalo native, he deeply loves and appreciates his community. Carlton enjoys Buffalo’s coffee shops and local comic stores in his free time. He also is a big supporter of Buffalo’s live music scene.
Carlton X. Sanders
Graphic Designer
The Invest Buffalo Niagara Board of Directors
Officers
President & CEO
Thomas A. Kucharski, Invest Buffalo Niagara
Chair
Douglas W. Dimitroff, Phillips Lytle LLP
Vice Chair
Kenneth Kujawa, National Grid
Secretary
Becky Gandour, Buffalo Urban Development CorporationTreasurer
Michael O’Brien, Key Bank, N.A.
Board of Directors
AAA Western and Central New York
Anthony Spada, Jr.
Acara Solutions Inc.
Pete Petrella
Allegany County Industrial Development Agency
Craig Clark
Amherst Industrial Development Agency
David Mingoia
Astronics Corporation
David Burney
Highmark BlueCross BlueShield of WNY
Michael J. Edbauer
Buffalo Niagara Partnership
Dottie Gallagher
Buffalo Urban Development Corporation
Becky Gandour
Buffalo News
Tom Wiley
Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency
Mark Geise
City of Buffalo
Mayor Byron W. Brown
Ciminelli Real Estate
Kyle Ciminelli
Delaware North Companies
James Obletz
Douglas Development
Douglas Jemal
Dunn Tire
David Simons
Erie County Industrial Development Agency
John Cappellino
Ernst & Young
Marc Izzo
Frey Electric Construction Co
Kent Frey
Genesee County Economic Development Center
Steven G. Hyde
Hamburg IDA
Sean Doyle
Harris Beach, LLP
Bob Murray
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Phil Delmont
Hodgson Russ LLP
Benjamin Zuffranieri Jr.
HSBC Bank
Gregory Duval
Hunt Real Estate
Peter Hunt
Hurwitz & Fine, P.C.
Kevin Zanner
Independent Health
Richard Argentieri
Key Bank, N.A.
Michael O’Brien
Lockport Industrial Development Agency
Thomas Sy
Lighthouse Technology Services
Randy Harris
Lynn Critical Infrastructure
Richard Lynn
Martin Group
Matt Davison
Merchant Insurance
Charlie Makey
Moog Inc.
John Scannell
M&T Bank Corporation
Michele Trolli
National Fuel Gas Company
David Bauer
National Grid
Kenneth Kujawa
Niagara County Department of Economic Development
Michael Casale
New York Power Authority
Joseph Kessler
NYSEG Corporation
Joseph M. Rizzo
Phillips Lytle LLP
Douglas W. Dimitroff
Schutte Buffalo
Martin Berardi
Sonwil Distribution
Peter Wilson
TM Montante Development
Christian Campos
Tops Friendly Markets
John Persons
Univera Healthcare
Arthur Wingerter
Uniland Development Company
Carl Montante, Jr.
Univera Healthcare
Arthur Wingerter
West Herr Auto Group
Scott Bieler
WNY NYSCAR
Carolyn Casilio
Wyoming County IDA
James Pierce
Appointed Directors
Empire State Development Corporation
Karen Utz
State University of New York at Buffalo
Tracy Krawczyk-Scheidel
Get started and discover why Buffalo Niagara is the right choice.