Two years after Governor Andrew Cuomo outlined an ambitious 10-year, $1 billion effort to revive the Buffalo Niagara economy, the areas targeted for investment are beginning to become clear, reports David Robinson.

The help Buffalo "[turn] around an economy that has missed out on much of the nation’s growth over the past half century", the State of New York is planning to replicate an economic development strategy that spurred billions of dollars in private investment and created thousands of jobs in Albany, explains Robinson. "The Buffalo Billion is following the Albany model to try to create a hub for clean energy research and manufacturing, as well as a center for medical genomics research centered around the University at Buffalo’s supercomputing capabilities."
"But the most immediate benefit of the Buffalo Billion is its 'shock and awe' value. It has already brought the Buffalo Niagara region notice as a place where something is going on. State officials hope that positive attention will build on the Buffalo Billion’s momentum."
Robinson details nine projects that are in line to receive funding as part of the initiative:
- $225 million towards a high tech manufacturing innovation hub at RiverBend
- $50 million towards a medical innovation and commercialization hub
- $50 million towards a genomic research partnership
- $10+ million towards workforce training and development
- "ten of millions" towards an Institute for Advanced Manufacturing Competitiveness
- $20 million towards the downtown Niagara Falls development challenge
- $11.5 million towards Robert Moses Parkway removal
- $4.5 million to stimulate the city's visual effects industry
- an unknown amount to help transform a vacant mall owned by the city of Niagara Falls into a mixed-use complex
FULL STORY: Your guide to the Buffalo Billion

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie