Models
CRS works with partners on a portfolio of placemaking, workforce and small business economic growth models in New York State.
East Side Avenues
East Side Avenues is a unique community-driven public/private partnership that provides capital and organizational support to transformational projects in targeted areas along four commercial corridors on the East Side of Buffalo. New York State initially invested $65M in capital that supports small business improvements, invests in key mixed-use properties, promotes historic preservation and reinvigorates fundamental East Side anchors. To strengthen the work of local nonprofit organizations to implement this work, local foundations and corporations invested more than $8M in capacity-building funds.
Regional Revitalization Partnership (RRP)
Regional Revitalization Partnership is a multi-year $300M collaborative initiative between the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation (RCWJF), Empire State Development (ESD), local municipalities and other private philanthropic partners. Building upon and accelerating collaborative, community-driven work that is already underway, this public/private initiative co-invests in three interconnected geographic areas (Buffalo’s East Side and the cities of Niagara Falls and Rochester) to create a comprehensive, community-driven economic development strategy around investments that focus on small business development, placemaking and workforce development. RRP is an outgrowth of East Side Avenues.
Springboard
In 2024, the Center for Regional Strategies launched and implemented a new entrepreneurial prize competition called Springboard. Springboard awarded nearly $600,000 in cash prizes to 26 organizations that help grow the entrepreneurial landscape in Buffalo-Niagara, Rochester and the Southern Tier in three rounds through 2024. Springboard supports diverse populations, addresses the unmet needs of existing entrepreneurs, creates storytelling opportunities, and generates positive momentum and goodwill across the broader ecosystem.
Western New York Manufacturing and Tech Workforce Coalition
The Western New York Manufacturing and Tech Workforce Coalition (the Coalition) is a strategic, coordinated, ecosystem-based approach to workforce development that maximizes job growth, expands career opportunities for the underserved and leverages federal, state and local dollars. This strategy is unique in that it was built by aligning trainers, industry, intermediaries, pipeline developers and community-based organizations around a shared vision and coordinating their roles and projects to support ecosystem building and workforce improvements.
Small Business Growth Initiative
The Small Business Growth Initiative (SBGI) is a comprehensive initiative that offers a dedicated support network for small businesses. To implement the SBGI, CRS coordinates partnerships with trusted community-based business support organizations such as The Exchange at Beverly Gray, The Foundry, and the Small Business Development Center at SUNY Buffalo State. SBGI is designed to strengthen the small business ecosystem and aligns critical resources, making them easily accessible/navigable for small businesses. These programs support small business growth, develop future entrepreneurs and help to build generational wealth along with the regional economy.