Grow Your Business
Expand your Business to Buffalo Niagara
Cost-Effective Business Environment
The region provides a cost-effective environment for businesses, highlighted by incentives such as 0% corporate income tax for manufacturers and low-cost reliable hydropower generated from Niagara Falls and the Niagara River. This can lead to significant savings in operational costs, making Buffalo Niagara an economically attractive option for business expansion.
Skilled Workforce
One of Buffalo's well-deserved nicknames is “The City of Good Neighbors." Our people and specifically our workforce is unmatched, and being backfilled by a strong educational infrastructure with 19 colleges and universities. Our workplace attendance rates are high while our turnover rate are below national average.
Strategic Geographic Location
Buffalo Niagara’s strategic location on the Canadian border – including 7 international ports of entry – is within 500 miles (800 km) of 40% of the bi-national population. It is less than a day’s drive to Toronto, New York City, Boston, Chicago, and more
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ADDRESSING YOUR TALENT NEEDS
A Place Where People Want to Live
TOOLKIT
Our resources and services make it easier than ever to expand or relocate your business here.
Invest Buffalo Niagara serves as a single point of entry for economic development inquiries and offers a comprehensive suite of client-driven project management services to companies and consultants evaluating the market area.
Major Employers
You’re in good company. Get to know our leading WNY businesses. As part of your expansion consideration process we can make introductions.
Demographic Analysis
Explore our Buffalo Niagara demographics dashboard plus our Manufacturing and Technology specific data. We can also provide custom data.
Well-education Workforce
Buffalo Niagara benefits from 19 colleges and universities graduating 20,000+ annually. Discover your sources of talent.
Site Selection
Generate property data reports, and search commercial real estate listings. Our team can run a custom search for you and schedule tours.
Incentives
On top of the already low cost of doing business in Buffalo Niagara, the region offers qualifying businesses growing in WNY a number of incentive opportunities. We help companies through the application process.
Service Providers
Our region boasts a robust transportation infrastructure and benefits from strong utility partners who we are happy to introduce you to.
Resource Guide
Your success is our success, we don’t stop until you win!
HOW WE HELP
We've made it simple and painless to expand your business in Buffalo Niagara.
The team of professional economic development consultants at Invest Buffalo Niagara provides free and confidential services to companies considering the Buffalo Niagara region.
Book a Discovery Call
Determine if your company is right for Buffalo Niagara.
Let us Manage your Expansion Project
From research to ribbon cutting -- we’ve got you covered.
Find Success in Buffalo Niagara
Our services don’t end there. Upon expansion or relocation, we’re here to provide connections to hiring agencies, media contacts, and more to help ensure your success.
Key Industries
Discover Thriving Industries in Buffalo Niagara
Business is booming in a region undergoing an all-encompassing renaissance. The region’s diversified and growing economy has been recognized by leading business publications such as Fast Company, Forbes, The New York Times, CNBC, Business Week, and more.
Logistics & Distribution
Buffalo Niagara is a fully operational, integrated center for transshipment, storage, collection, and distribution of goods.
Life Sciences
Buffalo Niagara has long been a hub of innovation in life sciences and health sciences.
Food & Beverage Processing
The Buffalo Niagara region is a cornerstone of New York State’s $3.6 billion agribusiness and food and beverage processing industries.
Advanced Manufacturing
Buffalo Niagara has enjoyed a long history of manufacturing success and is in the midst of a new wave of innovators and builders changing the future of advanced manufacturing.
Advanced Business Services
Invest Buffalo Niagara has assisted more than 60 advanced business services companies expand or startup in the region like Yahoo!, One Touch Direct, AML RightSource, and Rural Sourcing.
Wins & Success Stories
See Buffalo Niagara Success Stories
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
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
Universal Logistics
Universal Logistics is a third generation, family-owned business established in 1949 with 87 employees and five locations across Canada. Over these 70-plus years, Universal have grown and prospered by delivering innovative logistics solutions while still maintaining a family value approach to caring for their clients. Universal’s complete package of logistics services includes international freight, North American trucking, U.S. and Canadian customs brokerage and warehousing/distribution.
In 2009, Universal’s U.S. sales represented only 3-4% of the company’s overall sales, and they worked through a U.S. partner to provide their U.S. brokerage services. However, it was identified that a significant value-added client need would be met by establishing their own U.S. customs brokerage presence. A U.S. office would enable clients with product imports or exports, either to or from the U.S., to receive a single and trusted source for their U.S. customs brokerage, trucking, and distribution requirements. The solution was to take advantage of one of the two options available at the time: a ground level, start-up operation or an acquisition of a U.S. company. In a stroke of good luck and perfect timing, their existing U.S. partner in Buffalo proposed to sell their company and this created the optimum opportunity to make a fast track, strategic acquisition of an established U.S. customs broker.
Success Story
Sentient Science
Sentient Science is a materials informatics software development company originally headquartered in Idaho. Founded in 2000, the company invented a testing technology that replaces the physical testing of materials and components used in the manufacture of helicopters, bridges, medical devices, wind turbines and other products. Sentient’s process uses simulators and sensors to determine how the materials will react under various stresses and determines when they will need replacement. Its sensors and software perform these tests in the virtual realm, saving clients time and money.
Success Story
Larkin Express Logistics
Larkin Express Logistics is a startup third party logistics (3PL) company, providing traditional 3PL logistics services, focused primarily on connecting shippers with carriers (truck owners). The team in Buffalo will include business development, operations, and account management professionals. The Larkin Express Logistics equity holders have experience starting and growing 3PL companies in the past. Several of the project decision makers are based in Knoxville, Tennessee, which was strongly considered for the company’s location. However, Buffalo Niagara’s talented and dedicated workforce helped convince decision makers that the project should be in Buffalo. The company has leased 2,500 square feet of office space in the City of Buffalo and expects to hire over 50 people.
Success Story
SWS Warning Lights Inc.
SWS Warning Lights Inc. (SWS) is a Canadian-based advanced manufacturing company that assembles safety warning lights for the construction industry. Their product is often found on snow plows, construction vehicles, and road construction signage. As SWS grew, they saw significant opportunities in the U.S. market, especially since their raw materials were being sourced from the U.S. An expansion to the U.S. would also help the company penetrate the larger U.S. market, establish a Made in the USA product, and reduce overall operating costs.
Available Commercial Properties
Explore properties in the region
Browse through a range of commercial properties tailored to suit every business need in the thriving Buffalo Niagara region. From modern office spaces to development locations, discover the perfect space to elevate your business and capitalize on the region’s growth opportunities.
Blog
Top stories & updates in the Buffalo Niagara region
Four Things I’ve Learned Since Starting my Career in Buffalo
InBN Insights with Tom Kucharski, Celebrating 25 Years
WNY’s Dairy Heritage: Stronger Than Ever
Establish an Address In the U.S. Instantly
3 Reasons Food Processors Thrive in Buffalo Niagara
The Robots are Coming!: Buffalo Featured in Top Publication
Prioritizing Company Needs for Business Growth in Buffalo Niagara
Businesses in Buffalo Niagara Benefit from a Thriving Can-Am Partnership
Canadian Citizens Engaging in Business Activities in the U.S.
Upstate New York Receives Tech Hub Designation, Funding
Get started and discover why Buffalo Niagara is the right choice.