Global leaders and their solutions for world problems could make their way to Western New York in the future if Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul gets her wish. Hochul visited the Clinton Global Initiative in Denver last week where she spoke on a panel about Comeback Cities.Hochul said the large-scale populations of Buffalo’s industrial past are not part of its future.
“What’s happening here in Buffalo is a right-sizing of our community and our expectations, and capitalizing on assets and strengths that have been overlooked for so long,” Hochul said.
Hochul said the city is touting local and regional tourism like never before, and bringing so much vitality to the waterfront that people actually want to live near it again. Another element of success that has been right-sized, according to Hochul, is the expectation of the size of the companies that will locate in Western New York.
“Smaller is working for us,” noted Hochul. “Finding new incubators and start-ups right here, which is why the 43 North competition was so important to us, to get the word out to other entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs that Buffalo is a hot place for new businesses.”
Hochul said new growth in the community will be more organic, as opposed to the industrial giants of Buffalo’s past. She says smaller companies that start and grow in Buffalo will do so with the support of the government.
After sharing the facets of the city and state’s success, other attendees at the conference wanted more information.
“There were a lot of people who came up to me after who wanted to know how it worked,” said Hochul. “They’re contacting us, saying, ‘If it worked for New York State, perhaps it can work elsewhere.”
Not only did Hochul shared the success story of Buffalo with a global audience, but also with President Bill Clinton.
“In fact I invited him to have a future Global Initiative right here in Buffalo,” said Hochul. “He said, ‘I’ll certainly think about it.’”
The Clinton Global Initiative moves to Atlanta next year. Hochul said she told Clinton, “Buffalo would be very excited to have this kind of attention. You need to come and see the revitalization of downtown Buffalo, you’re not going to believe it.’”
