In 1978, the City of Buffalo established the Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corporation (BERC) as a public-private partnership organization eligible to receive federal economic development aid and designed to more appropriately involve the private sector in City economic development initiatives.

BERC is a Section 501(c)(4), not-for-profit local development corporation pursuant to the statutes of New York State. BERC also qualifies under HUD and EDA regulations to receive funding as a local development corporation. It is a membership corporation that meets SBA requirements. BERC was modeled after the Philadelphia (PA) Industrial Development Council (PIDC). Established in 1956, the PIDC was the most successful organization of its kind in the country at that time. BERC's semi-independent operation is representative of most urban economic development corporations nationally. Unlike many of its counterparts in other medium-sized U.S. cities, BERC is a comprehensive, effective and successful economic development corporation. It successfully places a high priority on creating jobs, recruits and maintains excellent and aggressive staff, and enjoys a close working relationship with the City of Buffalo, the ECIDA, New York State, the federal government and area banks.

Vision Statement

The City of Buffalo will be one of the best cities in North America to do business, create jobs and, ultimately, profit. Buffalo will be the hub of a vibrant and growing regional economy, with the private and public sectors working together in harmony and contributing toward accomplishing a shared agenda.

Mission Statement

The emphasis will be place toward the development of small businesses and strengthening neighborhood commercial districts. Success will be measured ultimately by the amount of jobs created for residents in low-moderate income communities, our ability to leverage our diverse population and our ability to enhance trust through open and ongoing dialogue within BERC, amongst our strategic partners and the community.

We will develop simple tools and deliver them in a streamlined manner.