176: From Rust Belt to Tech Hub: Buffalo's 25-Year Transformation with Tom Kucharski

What this episode covers

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson sits down with Tom Kucharski, President and CEO of Invest Buffalo Niagara, who has led the organization's transformation efforts for 25 years. Kucharski shares how Buffalo evolved from being the 8th largest U.S. city in 1960 to experiencing devastating industrial decline, and then orchestrating a remarkable comeback that includes the first population growth in decades. He discusses the region's competitive advantages including clean hydroelectric power from Niagara Falls, the 43 North business plan competition (the largest in the country with $1 million prizes), and securing the nation's only semiconductor tech hub designation. The conversation covers Buffalo's evolution into a hub for manufacturing, life sciences, and technology, while addressing new challenges like housing shortages that come with rapid growth and success. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Special Guest: Tom Kucharski.Sponsored By:Sitehunt: Sitehunt helps economic developers understand their sites, match them to projects, and respond with confidence in minutes instead of scrambling for days. Links:Tom Kucharski | LinkedIn Invest Buffalo Niagara | Grow your Business in Buffalo Niagara Why Move to Buffalo? Hear from Those Who Have! - YouTube 3/22: Tom Kucharski - HUNT Real Estate Corporation Blog