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 investors are more than just financiers; they are partners in progress, deeply committed to nurturing growth and innovation in the Buffalo Niagara region. From supporting cutting-edge startups to revitalizing established industries, these leaders are at the forefront of creating a vibrant, sustainable business ecosystem where companies of all sizes can flourish and succeed.
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

T&T Legacy Metals
Both Jim Terhune Sr. and his son, James Terhune Jr. followed a similar career path. They both joined the United States Army and then entered a career in the metal and steel business. Today, with over 60 years of combined experience, the two decided it was time to expand Jim Sr.’s business and have his son James Jr. join him. James Jr. led the process and began looking for communities that fit the company’s brand, sites that would suit their needs, and options that would lower startup costs.
Success Story
Plug Power
Plug Power is a fuel cell company that is “reimagining the energy ecosystem.” The company is building an end-to-end hydrogen power ecosystem including hydrogen production, storage, and delivery with the goal of assisting in the clean energy transfer and decarbonizing the modern economy. Plug Power’s fuel cells will enable the adoption of zero-emission freight transport and logistics handling equipment. The company already had operations in the Albany, NY area and was looking to expand its production capabilities further.
Incentives: Excelsior Job Tax Credits, IDA Tax Abatements, NYPA: Hydropower Allocation, WNY Power Proceeds Program
Success Story

Sucro Sourcing
Sucro Sourcing is a multinational company refining sugar for mills, processors, distributors and industrial customers. Before considering a permanent expansion in Buffalo Niagara, the company first set up a pilot project in the Gateway Trade Zone. At the completion of that pilot project, the company was satisfied and willing to further consider a permanent presence in Western New York. The company was also considering Miami, Florida for the project.
Incentives: Empire State Development Excelsior Tax Credit ECIDA tax abatement NYPA hydropower National Grid grant
Success Story

AMDOR
Headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, Whiting Group is an advanced manufacturer with multiple divisions and facilities including Lancaster, NY. The company needed to expand its AMDOR division, which manufacturers roll up doors for fire apparatus, ambulances and other specialty vehicle applications. AMDOR considered expanding at its existing facility in Burlington, or establishing its first U.S. site in Buffalo Niagara, Wisconsin or Florida.
Success Story

PatCom Medical
PatCom Medical is an early-stage Canadian medical device company focused on improving patient comfort during evaluation and treatment of communication and swallowing disorders. PatCom’s small diameter endoscopes, advanced light and camera technology, and patented Esophageal Introducer allow for easy intubation and more accurate testing, including Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), Videostroboscopy, and Reflux testing.
With 80% of the company’s sales in the U.S., having a physical presence in the States became a top priority. The company was looking for a region with a strong life and health sciences ecosystem, specifically within minimally invasive surgery innovation, as well as potential for academic partnerships.
Success Story

Pride Pak
Canadian-headquartered Pride Pak processes fresh vegetables, making ready-made salads in a bag and chopped vegetables. The company also sources raw vegetables from both the US and Canada. Pride Pak was started in 1984 and has their main office in Mississauga with another facility in New Foundland. They currently employ over 200 people and sell to grocery retailers and into the restaurant industry.
With growing sales in the US, Steven Karr, CEO sought a new facility across the border to grow his business. In 2014, Pride Pak reached out to multiple regions within New York State to locate their new facility.
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.


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?”
tkucharski@buffaloniagara.org
Thomas Kucharski
President & CEO


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.
esinclair@buffaloniagara.org
Erin Sinclair
Senior Administrator


Matthew Hubacher
Sr. Vice President
Before joining Invest Buffalo Niagara in 2007, Matthew worked on Capitol Hill as a Legislative Assistant for former 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 as Commissioner of the Clarence Girls Softball League.
mhubacher@buffaloniagara.org
Matthew Hubacher
Sr. Vice President


Rob Leteste
Director, Sector Strategy
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.
rleteste@buffaloniagara.org
Rob Leteste
Director, Sector Strategy


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.
slarson@buffaloniagara.org
Sarah Larson
Brand & Creative Director


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.
csanders@buffaloniagara.org
Carlton X. Sanders
Graphic Designer


Kathy Stout
Business Development Manager
With a bachelor’s degree in economics and music from University College Cork, Ireland where she was a Quercus College Scholar, and a master’s in economics from the University of Warwick, UK, Kathy is passionate about economic development as a means to commercial success, as well as greater employment and upskilling opportunities for the local workforce.
Prior to joining Invest Buffalo Niagara, Kathy was an Associate Director at KPMG Ireland where she advised on M&A transactions and corporate strategy. She also has experience with EY, in policy research at the University of Oxford, and infrastructure policy planning at the Economic and Social Research Institute in Dublin.
After an extensive search, in 2024 Kathy and her family decided to call Buffalo, NY “home” given the blend of career and lifestyle opportunities hard to find elsewhere. After her 15-minute commute from downtown Buffalo back to the suburbs, Kathy loves to take her Scottish terrier for hikes in local state parks, if not already attending a pottery class or pickleball league.
kstout@buffaloniagara.org
Kathy Stout
Business Development Manager
The Invest Buffalo Niagara Board of Directors
Officers
President & CEO
Thomas A. Kucharski, Invest Buffalo Niagara
Chair
Kenneth Kujawa, National Grid
Vice Chair
Michael O’Brien, Key Bank, N.A.
Secretary
Sujata Yalamanchili, Partner – Hodgson Russ LLP
Treasurer
Dave Bauer, National Fuel
Board of Directors
AAA Western and Central New York
Susan Was
Acara Solutions Inc.
Pete Petrella
Amherst Industrial Development Agency
David Mingoia
Buffalo Niagara Partnership
Dottie Gallagher
Buffalo Business First
John Tebeau
Buffalo Urban Development Corporation
Becky Gandour
Buffalo News
Katie Mulligan
Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency
Mark Geise
City of Buffalo
Mayor Chris Scanlon
Ciminelli Real Estate
Kyle Ciminelli
Clarence IDA
Chris Kempton
Delaware North Companies
James Obletz
Exxpress Tire
David Simons
Erie County Government
Dan Castle
Erie County Industrial Development Agency
John Cappellino
Ernst & Young
Marc Izzo
Frey Electric Construction Co
Kent Frey
Genesee County Economic Development Center
Mark Masse
Hamburg IDA
Sean Doyle
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Amy Hemenway
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Jessica Cox
Hodgson Russ LLP
Sujata Yalamanchili
HSBC Bank
Gregory Duval
Hunt Real Estate
Peter Hunt
Hurwitz & Fine, P.C.
Kevin Zanner
Key Bank, N.A.
Michael O’Brien
LeChase Construction
Chris Kulik
Lippes Mathias LLP
Kevin Cross
Lockport Industrial Development Agency
Thomas Sy
Martin Group
Matt Davison
Merchant Insurance
Charlie Makey
M&T Bank Corporation
Chris Kania
National Fuel Gas Company
David Bauer
National Grid
Kenneth Kujawa
Niagara County Department of Economic Development
Andrea Klyczek
New York Power Authority
Joseph Kessler
NYSEG Corporation
Jeff Quain
Phillips Lytle LLP
Kim Nason
Schutte Buffalo
Martin Berardi
Sonwil Distribution
Peter Wilson
TM Montante Development
Christian Campos
Tops Friendly Markets
Ron Ferri
Uniland Development Company
Carl Montante, Jr.
Univera Healthcare
Paul Valley
West Herr Auto Group
Scott Bieler
WNY NYSCAR
Amanda Hirsch
Wyoming County IDA
James Pierce
Appointed Directors
Empire State Development Corporation
Karen Utz
State University of New York at Buffalo
Per Stromhaug
Get started and discover why Buffalo Niagara is the right choice.