Grow Your Business
Grow your Buffalo Niagara Business
Accelerate Second Stage Company Growth
Second stage companies typically have the potential for additional sustained growth but lack access to the sophisticated tools and concepts of larger companies. Our economic gardening program has helped a couple dozen local companies identify their growth potential.
Cost-Effective Business Environment
Unlock your business potential in Buffalo Niagara—we help with incentive program identification and coordination across local, regional, and statewide economic development organizations. Need to grow and expand your production capabilities? You may be eligible for matching grants.
A Place People Want to Live
You found the perfect candidate for that job you’ve been trying to fill. Now, you’ve just got to convince them why they should live here. We’ve got you covered with a recruiters toolkit and relocation guide.
BUSINESS EXPANSION PROJECT
Let us Help you Navigate a Business Expansion
ECONOMIC GARDENING PROGRAM
Unlock Growth Potential
TOOL KIT
Our unique solutions make it easier than ever to grow your business here.
Economic Gardening uses the best corporate level tools we can find.
Commercial Database Searching
These services are by subscription only and much more focused than general Internet searches. Typical research includes markets, competitor intelligence, new product releases, potential customers, and regulations.
Deep Web
Internet searches are easy for anyone to do but much of the valuable information is buried in the deep web beyond the first three pages of results. Knowing where these exotic databases and information sources are is critical to high quality work.
Geographic Information Systems
GIS is computerized mapping of data and typically is used to spot densities of customers, potential markets, trade areas and competitors.
Search Engine Optimization
SEO is used to get web sites as high in Google searches as possible. There are a number of known factors that Google considers and our experts will identify any problem areas on your web sites. Further, we will assist you with keyword research to be used in web marketing programs. We also provide social media options for finding watering holes of your targeted market.
Listening Posts
We have developed ways to monitor the operating environment that are improvements over simple Google alerts. We filter out noise and focus on high quality sources.
Network Mapping
Maltego is a tool that diagrams the networks on the web, on twitter and Facebook. Understanding networks is important in developing qualified sales leads.
The Economic Gardening Timeline
Apply Now
How do I apply?
For-profit, privately held second stage companies headquartered in Erie, Niagara, and Chautauqua counties may apply by downloading this application. Completed application should be emailed to mhubacher@buffaloniagara.org with Economic Gardening as the subject line.
Contact us!
HOW WE HELP
We've made it simple and painless to grow your business to in Buffalo Niagara.
Invest Buffalo Niagara’s, free and confidential, Economic Gardening Program helps local companies grow new verticals, enhance business models, and make data-backed, growth-minded decisions.
Apply
Determine if your company is a fit for Invest Buffalo Niagara’s Economic Gardening program.
Let us Manage your Economic Gardening Project
Spend 8–12 hours on meetings with the Invest Buffalo Niagara team and consultants from the National Center for Economic Gardening to deep dive into your business, potential growth areas, competitive analysis, and more.
Find Success in Buffalo Niagara
Implement the program’s recommendations for further success in Buffalo Niagara. And our services don’t end there. Upon implementing project strategies, we’re here to provide insights on hiring, connections to regional partners, and even assist with your future expansion projects in Western New York.
Wins & Success Stories
See Buffalo Niagara Success Stories
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
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.
Success Story
Niagara Food Specialties
Niagara Food Specialties (NFS), incorporated in 2001, is a food processor, distributor and wholesaler, specializing in the production of prosciutto ham for the foodservice (restaurants & hotels) industry and gourmet retail markets. NFS adds value to raw pork, producing artisanal quality charcuterie, including prosciutto, capicola, pancetta, salami, guanciale, and sausage. This family operated business is currently headquartered in Niagara Falls, ON. NFS began to investigate US expansion when they faced with growth limitations due to border crossing restrictions and rules on imported meats to the US.
Success Story
Pressure Drop Brewing
Karl Kolbe was born and raised in the Buffalo Niagara region. However, for the last seven years he has been brewing beer in Sacramento, California. Though craft beers captured his palate, Buffalo Niagara always had his heart.
When he decided he wanted to open his own brewery, he knew the City of Buffalo was the place. He and some partners went in on the business together, and thus, Pressure Drop Brewing was born. They will be brewing around eight beers at a time from 40 recipes, alternating them based on season. Their IPA-heavy beer will be ready in October.
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
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
New Corporate Governance Reporting Requirements
POD: Timothy Porter, on Buffalo's film and gaming industry
New York State offers tax credits to the Film & Gaming Industry
POD: Jason Bartz, on Good Neighbor Fund
POD: Journey Gunderson, on the National Comedy Center
Get started and discover why Buffalo Niagara is the right choice.
