The Leader - January/February 2008 - (Page 63) ecoNomic developer p r o F il e tom kucharski Buffalo Niagara’s tom kucharski By megan mccann After serving regions including Eastern Pennsylvania and Southwest Florida for many years, Tom Kucharski, a Buffalo, N.Y. native, returned home to serve as President and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise in February of 2000. Location is very important, and Buffalo Niagara’s location makes it a gateway to Canada, the United States’ largest trading partner. In fact, approximately $81 billion, 31 percent of the total trade conducted between the U.S. and Canada, goes directly through Buffalo Niagara. “Our strategic location provides us a logistical advantage in the facilitation of international trade through the six international bridges that connect our region to Canada,” Kucharski says. But, there is more to the region than its location, he says. The post-secondary education system provides an array of education and training opportunities, which allow Buffalo Niagara’s work force to remain highly skilled and highly competitive in the global economy. And, the region is also home to the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the nation’s first comprehensive cancer research center. “Buffalo Niagara’s cost-of-living is consistently below the national average, our residential and commercial real estate prices remain among the nation’s lowest, and our infrastructure is advanced and accessible,” Kucharski adds. “Furthermore, the region is distinguished by its access to fresh water and the abundance of sustainable energy.” Several companies seem to agree, having recently made new and additional investments to the area. CitiGroup will build a second back-office facility in Amherst’s Cross-Point Business Park, adding 156,000 sq. ft. (14,493 sq. m.) space next “Buffalo Niagara’s cost-of-living is consistently below the national average, our residential and commercial real estate prices remain among the nation’s lowest, and our infrastructure is advanced and accessible. Furthermore, the region is distinguished by its access to fresh water and the abundance of sustainable energy.” to its current building and add as many as 700 employees over the next three years. “This will double the bank’s workforce in Buffalo Niagara,” Kucharski says. “The new building, with an estimated cost of more than $50 million when completed, could ultimately house up to 1,000.” Hans Morris, head of operations and technology for Citi’s Global Markets and Banking division, said the bank could have chosen locations throughout the world since it operates in 102 countries. But it chose Buffalo Niagara because of the bank’s 30 years of experience working here. The bank decided to expand that facility to take advantage of the work force, lower operating costs and quality of life that Buffalo Niagara has to offer. 2 0 0 8 the le ade r 63 J aN Ua rY / F e B rUa r Y
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