Buffalo plays a critical role in the U.S.-Canada trade relationship, acting as a gateway for over $90 billion in trade annually, approximately 15% of all trade between these two global economic powerhouses. In fact, the volume of trade flowing between Buffalo and Canada each year surpasses that of the U.S. with other leading global economies like France, Brazil and Australia.
With Toronto’s $265 billion economy just 90 minutes away, we’ve assisted over 120 Canadian companies with expansions to the Buffalo Niagara region and continue to attract significant investment from across the border.
Earlier this year, Worksport invested over $6 million in a new manufacturing facility in Buffalo, creating 280 new jobs. Last month, Ontario-based biotech company, Norgen Biotek, invested $5 million for a new 2,800 square foot manufacturing facility in Niagara Falls, as well as research and development lab at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Other recent expansions include ZoomZoom, Electrovaya, and PatCom Medical.
Sucro Sourcing, has benefitted from the Buffalo and Canadian cross-border exchange for over a few years now. The sugar refinery has two locations: one in Lackawanna, New York, and another in Hamilton, Ontario. Raw sugarcane arrives by cargo ships from South and Central America and is processed into sugar and molasses at both sites. Molasses from the Hamilton refinery is then shipped to Lackawanna for further sugar extraction to make more products. At just 109 kilometers apart, this proximity has led Sucro to expand operations in both locations.
Though each of these companies had their own needs and expansion plans, they all see the U.S. as an opportunity for growth. Here are just a few of the reasons why:
- Expand Market & Drive Sales
Gain access to a market 10 times larger while also having a ‘Made in the U.S.’ label. - Lower the Costs of Doing Business
Canadian businesses find expanding to the U.S. lowers their real estate costs, reduces hydropower costs, and reduces border costs and delays. - Mitigate Liability
Reduce the risk of U.S. based lawsuits and tax liability to your Canadian headquarters.
Companies expand their businesses in many different ways. Some set up a U.S. address to start, some open a small sales office or distribution operation, and some set up full-fledged manufacturing operations. Invest Buffalo Niagara has the experience to help you understand what is involved with a U.S. expansion and resources to help you identify the right location, available incentives, workforce, and more. Our Canadian Business Expansion to the U.S. Checklist is a great and in-depth entry into our established process to assist your project confidentially and free of charge.