Touts Location, Relationships, Opportunity in Presentation to Chamber of Commerce

ERIE COUNTY, NY— Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz was joined by Tom Kucharski, President and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise (“BNE”), in presenting “Western New York – The U.S. Gateway For Canadian Business” to members of the Ontario Chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada. The lunchtime presentation brought together approximately 60 business leaders interested in U.S. expansion from throughout the greater Toronto area to hear Poloncarz’s message of economic opportunity in Erie County.

“Canada is America’s largest trading partner, with nearly $500 billion in goods and services crossing our border each year. I want our relationship to be even stronger,” said Poloncarz. “Western New York, a region of 1.5 million people, is the perfect location for Canadian business to gain access to U.S. markets. We have a highly educated and skilled workforce, affordable real estate, and a focus on aggressively pursuing Canadian business.”

During his campaign and after taking office, Poloncarz has been vocal about making outreach to Canadian business a priority for his administration. While recognizing and appreciating the sales tax boost Erie County receives from Canadian shoppers, the County Executive restated his desire to help Canadian business expand into the United States. “I want them to become investors in our community,” Poloncarz continued.

Poloncarz’s presentation also highlighted the recent announcement that Outfront Portable Solutions, a Canadian business, will be expanding its operations in the City of Buffalo after receiving $61,000 in sales tax breaks from the Erie County Industrial Development Agency (“ECIDA”). The $2.55 million project allowed Outfront to expand locally in order to provide products that can be marketed as being “Made in America”.

Headquartered in Toronto, the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada (“AmCham”) promotes the two-way flow of trade and investment between Canada and the United States.  The organization is composed of over 250 large and small companies interested in the expansion and enhancement of cross-border business opportunities, and strives to promote a positive climate for commerce between the United States and Canada.

For more information on the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada, visit: http://www.amchamcanada.ca/