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
ACCESS EXPERTISE & DATA
Let us Help you Navigate the Process
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
New Flyer
New Flyer is the largest manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in North America with 3,800 employees and thirteen facilities across the U.S. and Canada. As part of the capital plan to upgrade public transportation in the New York City area, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) awarded New Flyer a contract to refresh the entire system’s bus fleet. The contract required a portion of the final product be manufactured in New York State.
Instead of contracting the work, New Flyer decided to establish a manufacturing facility in the State to build transmission and axle sub-assemblies. These high-value parts would then be shipped to St. Cloud, MN for final assembly. To minimize costs associated with shipping parts to the Midwest, the New Flyer facilities team wanted an assembly plant as far west in NYS as possible. By locating in the most southwestern area of the state, the company determined it can save at least $250 per truckload in shipping costs to Minnesota.
Success Story
Greenpac
Norampac is the largest containerboard producer in Canada and the 8th largest in North America. The company is also a major manufacturer of corrugated products. In 2008, Invest Buffalo Niagara and Norampac representatives discussed the company’s desire to build a new facility that would construct new corrugated box products from recycled fibers. With 43 operating units throughout the world the company could have sited this project anywhere.
Success Story
John Bead
Founded in 1953, John Bead is now under direction by its third-generation owner. Headquartered in Toronto, the company assembles specialty bead and craft kits sold wholesale to large retailers, DIY jewelry makers via a retail outlet, and everyone in between. The company had long considered a U.S. expansion to capture further market growth and avoid logistic delays. John Bead’s leadership team wanted a U.S. location in close proximity to its Toronto headquarters, as well as a strong workforce that would allow its family-oriented values to permeate through the new operation.
Incentives: Empire State Development Excelsior Jobs Tax Credits
Success Story
Zoom Zoom
Zoom Zoom is a ride-sharing company founded in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The company founder began offering rides during his time at university. As the business grew, Walid began building a back-end platform and app for ride-sharing customers. Walid realized the opportunity to expand his business to a similar market in the U.S., offering a more local option for ride-sharing customers.
Incentives: Startup NY
Success Story
MedBio
In August 2020, MedBio – a company headquartered in Michigan – acquired Polymer Conversions, a plastic injection molder operating in Buffalo Niagara. The company was specializing in highly technical medical devices and components with 125 employees. Polymer Conversions (now operating as MedBio Orchard Park, spoiler alert!) needed to expand its footprint and was considering doing so in either Western New York or Michigan.
Incentives: NYPA – Hydropower Allocation, Empire State Development Excelsior Jobs Program, Erie County IDA sales tax abatement
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
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
3 Reasons Food Processors Thrive in Buffalo Niagara
22 January 2025
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