Western New York Regional Economic Development Council

In response to New York State’s challenge to each of ten regional economic development councils to develop five-year strategic plans, UBRI assisted the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council (WNY REDC) in developing the award-winning, A Strategy for Prosperity—a comprehensive economic development plan for Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. The Plan guides state funding decisions and stimulates local investment in regional priorities. It aims to make fundamental improvements to the WNY economy, to ensure sustainable and long-term growth in jobs and income in our region, and to contribute to the resurgence of the broader New York State economy. The research in A Strategy for Prosperity formed the basis for and resulted in the Buffalo Billion.

A Strategy for Prosperity and annual progress reports on the overall health of the economy and impacts of state-funded projects present an accurate and objective picture of the region’s economic landscape along with key performance measures and indicators critical to guiding decision-making and policy action. A Strategy for Prosperity explores systemic issues fundamental to the success of our entire economy—workforce, smart growth, and entrepreneurship; and responds to the needs of key industry sectors where our region has strength and can capitalize on competitive advantages. But, data analysis is only one piece of the puzzle. Planning and ongoing implementation is the product of an aggressive and broadly inclusive process involving stakeholders from five counties, representatives of a wide array of private, public, and non-profit organizations, and leaders from important industry sectors.