
Stories from Economy Builders
Who are Economy Builders?
“Economic development” means a lot of different things to different people. In our experience — one that aggregates around a granular approach to economic growth — it’s about building the economic base one step at a time (some small steps, some big swings).
Every day we meet amazing people. People who help communities increase their ability to generate more household income. People who create and program great places to attract and retain talent. People who help build skills for those seeking good-paying jobs. People who want to build entrepreneurs’ capacity to grow their businesses. In short, we work with Economy Builders.
They might not see themselves under this label. And we think they aren’t always given enough credit for their contributions to growing the regional economy.
So we want to lift these voices, share these stories and talk about what it means when we build the economy together.
Paul Lang, Buffalo Central Terminal
Former Board Chair, Paul Lang, describes how he believes this one-time “lightning rod for activity” will again see a bright future.
Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor (MSAAHC)
A new headquarters, formalized infrastructure, full-time staff and long-term plan are just the beginning. Continued capital and programming enhancements will transform the corridor into a world-class historical and cultural destination.
TechRochester
TechRochester fosters online and in-person connections between its members and Rochester area founders to fuel start-up progress and strengthen the Greater Rochester technology community.
Nash House Museum
The Nash House Museum, the restored the residence Rev. J. Edward Nash, Sr., provides a glimpse into the life of one of WNY’s most influential African-American leaders.
That Brown Bag Minority Business Directory
That Brown Bag Minority Business Directory Digital Subscription Project creates a service that gives large companies access to a directory—building direct connections between diverse suppliers and consumers.
Angelo Threats, Commercial Building Owner, 1163 Jefferson
Angelo worked at Ted Banks Auto Service growing up. Now he has the chance to buy and save that building from demolition thanks to two East Side Avenues programs.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Park
New York State funding will help bring this park’s greenhouse back to its original glory, reopen it to the public and reconnect it to the surrounding community.
Evanette Veira, The Bailey
Evanette plans to help revive the area she grew up in so it can become the thriving, walkable neighborhood it once was.
Restoring a Historic Food Terminal
The once-bustling Niagara Frontier Food Terminal played a huge part in Buffalo’s early economy. Building stabilization funding will help preserve it and reimagine it into the future.
Community-Based Real Estate Development Training Program
Three students tell us why they are thankful they took this extensive, hands-on class and their plans for the future.
John Domres, Buffalo Brewing Company
With the help of NY State funding, dedicated beer enthusiast John Domres is revitalizing a historic Buffalo brewery, creating a brewing museum and even moving his family into the renovated space.
The Good Neighbor Fund
Good Neighbor Fund Micro-Grant Program provides micro-grants, entrepreneurial support and community events to under-resourced and underrepresented business founders, primarily at the ideation stage.
Gio McKnight, Entrepreneur
After retirement, Gio wanted to contribute to his hometown’s economic revitalization, so he opened a cigar shop on Jefferson Avenue. Commercial Districts funding helped make it a welcoming, social destination.
Darold Fountain, 500 Leroy
Darold is grateful for the opportunity to learn commercial development from experts and believes completing projects like 590 Leroy lifts the community as a whole.
Mr. Love’s Barbershop
Leroy Love has served generations of Buffalonians in his street-side shop, where customers are “king.” Commercial Districts funding will allow for substantial updates before he passes the shop down to his sons.
Providence Farm Collective Corp
The Farmer Leadership Circle Program is an inclusionary approach to support leaders and build organizational capacity related to fresh foods and farmland through enhanced mentorship.
Hate Your Deck
Hate Your Deck is a course on building strong pitch decks and teaches entrepreneurs how investors think, how storytelling works, and a simple way to tell a company’s story.
University at Buffalo Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership
Emerging Entrepreneurs Coaching Launchpad is a series of sessions that offer a comprehensive learning experience to entrepreneurs at the beginning of their business journeys.
Annie O’Neil-White/Buffalo Central Terminal
Board member Annie O’Neil-White tells us how she was inspired by people's stories and admiration for this beloved historic treasure.
Ibero Business Center-WNY
The Expanded Ibero Business Center Services and Pitch Competition supports business training in Niagara Falls and Rochester including business plan preparation and cash flow projections, culminating in a pitch competition.
The Bricks Collaborative 716
Brick by Brick Peer Mentoring initiative provides access to resources, mentors and brand visibility to support an ecosystem of emerging food entrepreneurs.
Northland Workforce Training Center (NWTC)
Northland's Executive Director, Stephen Tucker, gives us a tour of this unique training facility and Northland Corridor anchor.
Chris Covelli, Al Cohen’s Bakery
East Side Commercial Districts and New York State funding helped a historic bakery get a fresh facade; expand its footprint and workforce; and maintain its long-standing city location.
Latinas Evolving LLC
Cafecito Tempranito On the Road – Entrepreneur Support Program provides funding and a platform for Latina entrepreneurs and leaders to showcase their stories.
WUFO Black Radio History Collective
Capacity-building funds supported museum consultants and staffing to help preserve and catalogue precious pieces from Buffalo’s black radio history.
Terry Alford, MSAAHC Commission Executive Director
You can hear the excitement in Terry’s voice: an underground-railroad-connected church is stabilized; museum enhancements are complete; the music club’s expansion is visible. Big things are happening on Michigan Street!
Go Getta Enterprises
The Go Getta Academy is an immersive media training program that provides skills and knowledge to create engaging podcasts, develop strong public speaking and build their brands.
Broadway Market
Treasured lifetime memories are shared by the Board Chair and others who are working to re-establish the Market as a vibrant public shopping hub and attractive regional destination.
Ellen Shareef, Iroquois Brewing Building
After taking a commercial development class, Ellen feels ready to take on a significant redevelopment project. She plans to create a multi-use facility her community can take pride in.
Larry and Jackie Stitts, Golden Cup Coffee
Coffeepreneurs Larry and Jackie Stitts hope to take a dilapidated old supermarket and turn it into a community gathering place. Building stabilization funding will help make their dream become a reality.
CHQ Chamber
Reimagining Foot Traffic Initiatives to Support Local Businesses uses the Bandwango platform to provide data to evaluate the impact of new initiatives and to create contact lists to market repeat visits.
Michael Quinniey, Broadway Theatre
With help from the Commercial Building Stabilization Fund, Michael and his business partner are restoring a historic theater and creating “a cultural art center like Buffalo has never seen.”
Western New York Venture Association, Inc.
Angel Investor Education Workshops are two half-day, in-person fundamentals of angel investing workshops in Buffalo and Rochester.
The Foundry
Young Entrepreneurs Advance: Growing a Youth Entrepreneurship Pipeline enhances opportunities for youth to explore the world of business and product creation.
Dr. Uzo Ihenko, Historic Building Owner and Entrepreneur
East Side Avenue’s Commercial Building Stabilization funding was a “dream come true” for Dr. Uzo. It allowed him to save a former chocolate factory/historic building where he now runs a UPS Store with his son.
The Solutions Hub
The Solutions Hub is a modern, technology-driven coworking and multi-purpose event space that provides a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses.
The Hatch Business Incubator at SUNY JCC
The Internship and Resource Impact: Empowering Small Business Growth initiative offers students hands-on experience while giving small businesses support at no cost.
Ellis K Consulting
Business Etiquette Course for Women Entrepreneurs merges critical business knowledge with professional interaction skills—promoting the development of successful, enduring businesses.
Phli Divas Beauty Salon, Inc
The Top Tier Professional Program accelerates the talent, entrepreneurship, and knowledge of licensed cosmetologists, barbers, make-up artists, and estheticians.
Community-Based Real Estate Development Training Program
The Community-Based Real Estate Development Program provided training to East Side residents and building owners in commercial real estate development.
Cooperation Buffalo, Inc.
Cooperative Changemakers Fellowship for Cooperative Entrepreneurs is an intensive training program to help individuals or teams determine their place in the cooperative economy.
George Scott, Colored Musicians Club
A long list of jazz legends has passed through the club’s doors. It also has a long history of being a welcoming place for everyone. A state-funded expansion will allow the club to welcome even more.
Connected Communities
Connected Communities will develop a business association in Rochester’s Beechwood/EMMA neighborhoods, and a pitch competition that prioritizes community-based entrepreneurs.
Central Terminal
Through collaborative capacity building and major capital investment, progress is being made to reactivate this iconic community anchor.
Ahmed Saleh, Mandella Market
NY State funding helped store owner, Ahmed Saleh, expand his convenience store and offer more fresh food options in a city neighborhood’s “healthy food desert.”
Lillie Wiley-Upshaw, Michigan Street Baptist Church
An Underground Railroad station, providing escaped slaves sanctuary before crossing to freedom in Canada, is being preserved.
Anita Sanders, 890 Project
Community-Based Real Estate Development Training student Anita Sanders shares her vision for creating a positive force in her community by building a mixed-use, multi-amenity complex.
The Local Sound Collaborative, Inc.
The Artist Grants Program provides opportunities to artists to share their craft in innovative entrepreneurial ways and push the conversation forward on what music can offer our world.
Tommy Fluker, Mike’s Lounge
When Tommy used to lend a hand at Mike’s as a teen, little did he know that one day he would own the place. Now he’s using Commercial District funds to make upgrades, including a new outdoor patio— the first of its kind in the area.
Alive + Well
WebBiz Launchpad is a comprehensive training program that equips underserved young adults with the skills of website creation using Squarespace and fundamental business development.
Stitch Buffalo
Entrepreneurship Training Program for Refugee Women empowers refugee and immigrant women by promoting the sale of their textile goods—inspiring creativity and inclusion through education.
The Rochester Commissary
Innovation through Shared Kitchen Incubation provides equipment and specialized support for production and scaling for food-focused entrepreneurs.
Cattaraugus-Allegany Workforce Development Board, Inc.
Small Business on the Job Training Program connects job seekers with employers and provides training costs for the first weeks of employment.
Capacity Building Is Game Changer for Nonprofits
East Side Avenues’ partners define what capacity building means to them and how it is making their organizations and programs thrive.
Small Business Growth Initiative (SBGI)
Two trusted, community-based business support organizations are partnering to create a dedicated, hands-on support network to help small businesses on Buffalo’s East Side succeed.
East Side Commercial Districts Program
Local Program Administrators tell us why it’s so important to the economy to create and maintain vibrant commercial corridors by supporting small business renovations and improvements.
Buffalo Central Terminal
James Morell used to ride by this majestic beacon on his bike as a kid. Now, as Board Chair, he’s helping to lead the very large-scale task of restoring and repurposing this art deco masterpiece.
Southern Tier West Development Foundation
The Empowering Rural Women Entrepreneurs in the Southern Tier initiative addresses barriers to entrepreneurship, such as limited networks and restricted resources, in this rural community.