TechBuffalo: With a mission to grow an inclusive, accessible technology ecosystem in the region, TechBuffalo recently launched and completed its inaugural Data Analytics Bootcamp. This free 12-week program focuses on expanding access to in-demand tech skills to disadvantaged communities. No experience is needed and at the end of the program, participants can interview for a job with Buffalo’s leading employers. The initial program boasted a 100% graduation rate. TechBuffalo also often collaborates with the M&T Tech Academy, which develops and delivers educational programming that creates pathways to tech careers for both M&T Bank employees and other members of the local tech community.
Colleges and Universities: With 21 colleges and universities, which includes more than 105,000 students, Buffalo provides pathways for those looking to expand their careers, regardless of barriers. Micro-Credential programs, which are available at University at Buffalo for both UB and non-UB students, offer job-ready skills in various areas ranging from credited and non-credited courses in pharmacometrics, finance, data science and more. Upon completion of the program, participants can present their achievements to potential employers through digital badges that describe specific knowledge and skills obtained. Similarly, Suny Erie provides professional development training courses to local businesses, individual community residents and local government employees, as well as a cost-free career center.
Expansion In The Empire State
In Buffalo, Top Seedz, an artisan cracker manufacturer, is moving to a larger production facility in the downtown. Top Seedz is expanding from a 6,500-square-foot facility to a nearly 35,000-square location where it will produce and ship its crackers while retaining 28 existing jobs and hiring an additional 20 people.
“Western New York is well-known for producing a wide variety of food products and we’re happy to congratulate Top Seedz as this sector’s latest success story,” said Empire State Development (ESD) President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. “The ongoing growth of the 43North competition winner is proof that well-placed investments in quality startups can pay off with new job creation, innovative products, and widespread industry recognition. Top Seedz is a great addition to Western New York, where it will contribute to the overall strength of the regional economy.”
Founded in 2017, Top Seedz hand-makes seed crackers, roasted seeds, and seed cracker mix. Currently, the Top Seedz workers—most of whom are refugees who settled in the Buffalo area—are producing approximately one million individual containers of crackers per year. By relocating to a larger facility, the company will be able to automate some of its labor-intensive, by-hand production and packaging.
Rebecca Brady, Top Seedz President and CEO, said, “We’re excited about our next big move and grateful to Empire State Development for supporting our continued expansion in Buffalo. Yet again we are impressed by the support provided to small businesses in Western New York by Empire State, 43North, Invest Buffalo-Niagara, and the entire start-up eco-system. We are especially pleased to be able to move our HQ and primary production facility to a suitable location in downtown Buffalo, continuing the rejuvenation of the downtown area in partnership with Iskalo Development.”
ESD is supporting the company’s growth with up to $315,000 through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program in exchange for promised job commitments. The company also has the distinction of being the $1 million, 2021 winner of the state supported 43North startup competition. Judges of the competition were captivated by the company’s potential when Top Seedz won the top prize in last year’s competition, making it one of the Buffalo Niagara region’s most promising homegrown startups.
Further east, Indium Corporation in Rome announced in August the significant expansion of its on-site operations. With its growth, the facility is now the company’s largest manufacturing center globally in terms of square footage. The 24,000-square-foot expansion is expected to have a significant economic impact on the city as it represents a more than $10 million investment. Indium expects to hire 300 employees over the next two years. In addition, the expansion brings the number of processes executed at the facility to 25 with more than 175 pieces of manufacturing equipment.
“The people of Rome have been welcoming to Indium Corporation since we began our operations here in 2013,” said the company’s President and COO, Ross Berntson. “This investment represents our continuing commitment to being a conscientious corporate citizen, while ultimately contributing to the already fantastic quality of life here.”
Since the commencement of operations at the Rome facility, staffing has grown from several individuals to 163. Overall jobs at Central New York facilities have grown from 681 in 2020 to 951 currently. Indium Corporation continues to grow globally with over 1,300 employees at 15 locations around the world.
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The Rome facility produces solder fabrications that are used primarily by advanced electronics manufacturers to build their final assemblies. Indium Corporation materials serve markets as diverse as aerospace, medical, telecommunications, and semiconductor assembly.
Further east in Fulton County, companies across a variety of sectors are finding an attractive location for business and for quality of life. In March, New Jersey-based paint giant Benjamin-Moore announced it will expand its Johnstown plant by 150,000-square feet.
Commenting on the workforce, Paul Connelie, Manufacturing Director at the plant, said, “There’s a pretty strong work ethic in the folks we interview and bring on board. They come to us with the technical skills based on previous experience. That’s helpful.”
