Western New York's Advanced Manufacturing Cluster
Coalition Lead: Empire State Development
Phase 2 Award: $25 million
Private Investment (Sept. 2022 – Sept. 2024): $35,000
Additional Public and Nonprofit Funding (Sept. 2022 – Sept. 2024): $173 million
Project Description: Western New York’s Advanced Manufacturing Cluster is utilizing a $25 million BBBRC grant to invest in the distressed eastern side of Buffalo, New York, and accelerate the growth of advanced manufacturing in the region. The manufacturing industry is threatened by hard-to-fill jobs, a looming retirement cliff, and an inability to attract and employ a diverse workforce. The coalition is accelerating the development of the Northland Corridor in Buffalo’s predominantly Black East Side by renovating two industrial buildings, expanding a small- and mid-sized manufacturer training program at the Buffalo Manufacturing Works, and building out a career readiness program through Goodwill of WNY’s Goodskills Career Builder initiative.
The coalition is uniting regional partners such as the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation, Goodwill Industries of Western New York, and the Edison Welding Institute.
VIDEO: Buffalo Manufacturing Works: Automation Camp 2024
As of September 2024, the coalition has made significant strides in achieving its vision of growing the Western New York’s advanced manufacturing capacity:
- The regional Goodskills Career Builder, designed to train and develop the local advanced manufacturing workforce, has demonstrated early success and growth in its expansion that was enabled by the coalition’s award through 40 new employer partnerships and experiential training for participants across Western New York.
- Through the Shift 2.0 program, Buffalo Manufacturing Works operated by Edison Welding Instituted, is providing high-value, high-impact support to small- and medium-sized manufacturers for new advanced manufacturing technologies through the completion of 24 engagements and 10 implementation projects in progress with local businesses. The program currently has an ecosystem of 78 small- and medium-sized manufacturers participating in events, trainings and peer groups to prepare for advanced technology adoption projects over the next two years.
- Shift 2.0 has trained 110 individuals through their automation training program, increasing employee skills in new and advanced technologies.
- Twenty students have participated in after-school and summer programming to learn about STEM careers at Buffalo Manufacturing Works operated by Edison Welding Institute. This program has demonstrated early success with all students receiving and industry recognized credential from Universal Robotics.
Coalition Overarching Narrative (applicant submitted) (PDF)
“Western New York will benefit from transformational investments that will develop and strengthen vital industry clusters. Combined with State matching funds, we will be able to train the workforce of today and strengthen the economies of the winning regions.”
Western New York's Advanced Manufacturing Cluster