Core Focus Areas

1. Business & Economic Development

Purpose: To foster a thriving local economy by supporting existing businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship, and attracting new opportunities that align with Buffalo’s character and needs.

Key Objectives:

• Empower Local Businesses: Provide resources, mentorship, and tools to help businesses adapt, innovate, and succeed.

  • Launch initiatives like the Buffalo Business Accelerator, offering workshops, funding connections, and networking events.

  • Host Small Business Roundtables to engage with business owners, gather feedback, and identify challenges or opportunities.

• Revitalize Past Opportunities: Reassess unfinished or underutilized projects to uncover new potential.

  • Examples: Repurposing vacant buildings, restarting legacy programs, or reviving outdated infrastructure plans.

• Encourage New Ventures: Promote Buffalo as a welcoming environment for entrepreneurs and startups.

  • Work with local and state partners to create incentives for businesses to start or expand operations.

  • Host Innovation Competitions to encourage creative solutions and entrepreneurial energy.

Outcome: A strong, resilient economy built on local success, community collaboration, and innovative opportunities.

2. Youth, Family & Workforce Engagement

Purpose: To create meaningful opportunities for Buffalo’s youth and families, ensuring the next generation can thrive, stay, and build a life in their hometown.

Key Objectives:

• Youth Skills & Careers: Connect students and young adults with skill-building opportunities that align with local businesses and future industries.

  • Organize Youth Apprenticeship Days to link students with local trades, businesses, and professionals.

  • Collaborate with schools on programs that teach career-ready skills like technology, trades, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.

• Family-Centered Community Events: Host regular events that bring families together and foster a sense of belonging.

  • Examples: Family Movie Nights, community sports tournaments, and seasonal festivals.

• Workforce Development: Support young professionals and working families by improving job opportunities and quality of life.

  • Create partnerships with local employers to provide internships, mentorship programs, and on-the-job training.

  • Advocate for affordable housing, broadband access, and other essential infrastructure to attract and retain working families.

Outcome: A community where youth have pathways to success, families are supported, and the workforce is strong and connected.

3. Community & Infrastructure Development

Purpose: To enhance Buffalo’s infrastructure, public spaces, and tourism appeal, creating a stronger foundation for growth and quality of life.

Key Objectives:

• Advocate for Critical Infrastructure: Partner with city, county, and state leaders to prioritize essential projects.

  • Broadband access, improved roads, affordable housing development, and revitalized community spaces.

• Tourism Growth: Highlight Buffalo’s unique history, natural beauty, and small-town charm to attract visitors and strengthen the local economy.

  • Develop marketing campaigns, promotional events, and tourism packages that showcase local businesses, historic sites, and outdoor activities.

  • Examples: Buffalo Horizons Heritage Trails, historic walking tours, and seasonal tourism events.

• Community Gathering Spaces: Foster connection and recreation through improved parks, trails, and shared public spaces.

  • Partner with local groups to maintain and upgrade existing public areas.

  • Reimagine underutilized spaces as hubs for activity, collaboration, and events.

Outcome: A vibrant, connected community with the infrastructure and appeal to support residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

4. Technology & Innovation

Purpose: Leverage cutting-edge technology, analytics, and AI to drive smarter decision-making, support local businesses, and foster innovative ideas while honoring Buffalo’s heritage.

Key Initiatives:

• AI & Analytics for Local Businesses: Provide tools and training for businesses to harness AI-driven insights for:

  • Improving operations (e.g., inventory management, customer engagement).

  • Identifying trends and opportunities through data analytics.

• Innovation Incubator: Create a space (virtual or physical) where entrepreneurs and young talent can explore tech-based business ideas.

  • Example: Support businesses in e-commerce, digital marketing, and app development.

• Community Insights Dashboard: Develop a platform or tool that uses analytics to provide real-time data on local economic trends, community needs, and project outcomes.

  • Helps Buffalo Horizons make data-backed decisions for programs and initiatives.

• Education & Training: Host workshops on new technologies like AI, automation, and digital tools to help local businesses and residents adapt and innovate.

• Smart Tourism Initiatives: Use technology to enhance tourism, such as mobile apps with self-guided historic tours, interactive maps, or virtual events.

Roots-Forward Approach:
While embracing technology, all programs and tools will reflect Buffalo’s values, history, and small-town character. Technology is a tool to empower—not replace—the community's human-driven ideas, traditions, and relationships.

How It All Comes Together

While each focus area has its distinct goals, they work in harmony to create meaningful progress:

• Local businesses will benefit from improved infrastructure and an influx of visitors through tourism.

• Youth and families will gain opportunities from stronger businesses and improved community spaces.

• Community development ensures a sustainable, long-term foundation for Buffalo’s growth.

At Buffalo Horizons, every project, program, and partnership is about creating a future where Buffalo thrives—together.