Home > About BNE > Press Room > Press Releases > BNE Reports Annual Results

NEWS: Buffalo Niagara Enterprise

For Immediate Release: September 8, 2011

For Information Contact:
Paul S. Pfeiffer - Director, Investor & Public Relations  (716) 842-1357, ext. 118 or cell: (716) 913-6283

Jennifer Kavanaugh - Director, Marketing & Communications  (716) 842-1357, ext. 450

Buffalo Niagara Enterprise Reports Annual Results
Strong Numbers Contradict Economic Conditions

Buffalo, N.Y. - In announcing their 2010-2011 annual results today, the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise released some strong numbers that point to encouraging signs for the region amidst continuing global economic challenges.  

The eight-county Buffalo Niagara region’s primary research, marketing, business and economic development organization, BNE reported 14 project wins for the fiscal year that ended June 30th, 2011.  The company wins have pledged to invest a combined $471,858,051 in the region.  The results account for a 55 percent increase in project wins and an impressive $459 million increase in investment from the previous year.  Along with the investment, BNE wins have pledged to create 465 new jobs in the region. 

“I am very pleased with our 2010-2011 numbers,” said National Fuel Gas Company Chairman & CEO David F. Smith, who completed his fourth and final year as Chairman of BNE’s Board of Directors.  “The reported results are a testament to this organization’s evolution as we continue to be nimble in our approach to an ever-changing marketplace and the needs of the various constituencies we serve,” the BNE Chairman added.

Smith will be succeeded at the helm of BNE by his predecessor in that role, Dunn Tire Chairman Randall Clark.  Clark chaired the organization during its formative years and pointed to an analysis of BNE’s results as evidence of its growth in stature and performance during Smith’s tenure.

“The total economic impact of our 14 project wins across the eight-county Buffalo Niagara region is a very impressive $564,851,031, and the 465 new jobs pledged have an average annual salary of $51,331” said Clark.  “That is an impressive return on our investment and further proof that BNE’s collaborative approach to research, marketing and business development is succeeding in bringing quality projects to the region that are creating good jobs for residents in our community,” he added.  The numbers the new Chairman referenced were arrived at by using an economic development impact software program utilized by peer economic development organizations across the country.

BNE President & CEO Thomas A. Kucharski noted some interesting trends that can be identified in last year’s project wins.

“Ten of our wins were Canadian companies, further validating that our strong presence in the Canadian market, past and present, is indeed a wise commitment of our resources,” said Kucharski.  “It is also a positive sign that six of our wins are in the advanced manufacturing industry cluster.  This is a sign that contrary to past popular belief, we can successfully compete for manufacturing investment and jobs in New York State and the Buffalo Niagara region,” Kucharski concluded.

A copy of the 2010-2011 annual report can be reviewed and downloaded on BNE’s Website at http://www.BuffaloNiagara.org/Annual2011. 

About Buffalo Niagara Enterprise - Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, a private, non-profit, marketing, business and economic development organization, is the point of contact for business attraction and investment in the eight counties of the Buffalo Niagara region.  Working with local economic development groups, real estate & development professionals, governmental agencies, utilities and private sector business leaders, BNE assists businesses seeking to re-locate or expand in our region with access to the various incentives, financing, site selection and other services relevant to their project.  For information on doing business in Buffalo Niagara, visit www.buffaloniagara.org.