Key Projects & Quick Wins
1. Buffalo Business Roundtable
Purpose: Engage local businesses, gather feedback, and identify immediate opportunities to help them thrive.
What We’ll Do:
Host quarterly roundtable sessions with local business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
Discuss challenges, opportunities, and collaborative ideas for growth.
Share resources such as grant opportunities, mentorship programs, and success stories.
Quick Win: The first roundtable can be organized within 2-3 months with a focus on actionable takeaways (e.g., small grants, marketing tips, or networking).
2. Youth Apprenticeship Day
Purpose: Connect Buffalo’s youth with local businesses, trades, and professionals to build skills and career pathways.
What We’ll Do:
Organize a hands-on event where students can:
Job shadow local businesses and tradespeople.
Participate in mini workshops (e.g., carpentry, technology, small business skills).
Learn about career opportunities available in Buffalo.
Partner with schools and local employers to ensure strong participation.
Quick Win: The first event can be hosted within 3-4 months with local businesses as partners.
3. Buffalo Horizons Community Night
Purpose: Build excitement, community pride, and engagement around Buffalo Horizons’ mission.
What We’ll Do:
Organize an all-community event with family-friendly activities, food vendors, music, and information booths.
Share the vision of Buffalo Horizons, current projects, and ways to get involved.
Highlight local businesses, artisans, and youth initiatives as part of the event.
Quick Win: A highly visible, engaging event can be planned in 4-6 months to showcase Buffalo Horizons’ momentum.
4. Project Revive: Past Opportunity Assessment
Purpose: Identify and repurpose underutilized or unfinished projects in Buffalo to give them new life.
What We’ll Do:
Review past economic development projects (e.g., vacant buildings, old infrastructure plans) and assess their potential.
Involve the community to brainstorm creative uses for these assets.
Focus on “low-hanging fruit” that can be completed quickly and deliver visible results.
Example Quick Win: Transform a vacant building into a pop-up business hub for entrepreneurs, artisans, or youth projects.
5. Buffalo Business Spotlight Program
Purpose: Promote local businesses and celebrate their contributions to the community.
What We’ll Do:
Feature a local business each month across Buffalo Horizons’ social media, newsletters, and website.
Share their story, successes, and ways the community can support them.
Organize a “Local Business of the Month” recognition event to boost visibility.
Quick Win: Easy to launch within 1-2 months with minimal cost and high community engagement.
6. Heritage & Tourism Marketing Campaign
Purpose: Attract visitors to Buffalo by promoting its rich history, small-town charm, and outdoor opportunities.
What We’ll Do:
Develop a small-scale digital campaign highlighting:
Buffalo’s historic downtown and attractions.
Local events, trails, and recreational opportunities.
Unique businesses that give Buffalo its character.
Leverage social media, tourism websites, and partnerships with state tourism boards.
Quick Win: Launch a mini social media campaign featuring “Top 5 Things to Do in Buffalo” to build excitement and attract visitors.
7. Buffalo Horizons Small Grant Program
Purpose: Provide micro-grants to support small businesses, startups, or community projects.
What We’ll Do:
Establish a small grant fund to provide $500-$1,500 awards for projects that:
Boost small business operations (e.g., signage, marketing).
Support youth initiatives (e.g., student-led projects).
Improve community spaces (e.g., beautification projects).
Quick Win: Launch the program within 6 months with a clear application process and community awareness campaign.
8. Family Movie Night Series
Purpose: Foster community connection and offer family-friendly entertainment.
What We’ll Do:
Organize seasonal outdoor movie nights in public parks or community spaces.
Partner with local vendors for snacks, drinks, and seating options.
Promote the event as a way to bring families together while supporting local businesses.
Quick Win: A low-cost event that can be launched in 2-3 months with strong community appeal.
How These Projects Work Together
Each project aligns with one or more of Buffalo Horizons’ Core Focus Areas:
Business & Economic Development: Supporting local businesses, creating opportunities for growth, and boosting tourism.
Youth, Family & Workforce Engagement: Connecting youth with skills, career pathways, and family-friendly activities.
Community & Infrastructure Development: Enhancing community spaces, reimagining past opportunities, and driving local pride.
Why Focus on Quick Wins?
Build Momentum: Early successes inspire trust and excitement within the community.
Show Tangible Impact: Visible results demonstrate Buffalo Horizons’ commitment and effectiveness.
Engage Stakeholders: Quick wins attract businesses, families, and leaders who want to get involved.