Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Diversity is the hallmark for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership's 2026 advocacy, or legislative, agenda that was released on Jan. 8.
The Partnership's agenda list runs the gamut from lobbying state lawmakers to pause climate control mandates for a decade to supporting Niagara Falls' plan for the $200 million Centennial Park - something that could bolster the city's tourism and hospitality industry.
There's also a request for state aid to assist in the development of Erie County Agribusiness Park in the Town of Evans and the 60-acre Niagara County Business Park in the Town of Cambria.
In each case, the intent is to drive home the point that there is significant private and public sector support for all the issues pinpointed by the Partnership.
"We're in the friend building business," said Dottie Gallagher, Buffalo Niagara Partnership CEO. "You can't go to Albany with a sledgehammer. That is not an effective strategy."
Gallagher said the agenda wish list items came from her staff meeting with public and private sector leaders to determine what issues need to be addressed.
In the past year, it has worked with securing brownfield tax credits extensions.
The Partnership's roll out attracted more than 300 people and some 38 elected leaders including Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan, Amherst Supervisor Shawn Lavin and Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro.
"Growth doesn't happen in a vacuum," said Josh Veronica, Partnership Director of Government Affairs.
And, it doesn't happen overnight.
Many of the issues are hold overs from previous years.
Some are very Buffalo-centric; others more regional in nature.
The Partnership, for one such example, is pushing for state support to extend and expand incentives for private sector-backed projects that will turn vacant buildings into apartments.
Previous programs have helped Buffalo and other municipalities, but now more help is needed, Gallagher said.
"There is no question that as Buffalo goes, so goes the rest of the region," Gallagher said.