The city of Niagara Falls is ramping up its effort to attract new growth. In the latest effort, city officials hosted its first "Developer's Forum" on Thursday.
It attracted more than 80 participants from across the region, Southern Ontario and Central New York. The forum highlighted the numerous state and local incentives available for projects on the city's designated brownfield sites.
"The collaboration that we see from the state through the municipal level, I can't imagine working any better than the that team we put together here in Niagara Falls and Western New York right now," said Director of Business Development Anthony Vilardo.
He points to a parcel located on Buffalo Avenue near the I-190 that he believes would be ideal for a mixed-use project including market rate high-density housing.
"It is in close proximity of the New York State Thruway System, in close proximity of the Canadian border."
The message Vilardo hopes to convey to developers: Niagara Falls is "open for business."