M&T Bank has echoed that sentiment in developing its technology hub at Seneca One tower. The bank launched its Z Development Program last year to train people with little or no tech experience, using an “intentionally inclusive” recruitment focus.
M&T’s chairman and CEO, René Jones, is also among a group of local business and community leaders working to build support for the Endless Frontier Act.
The bulk of so-called innovation jobs has been stubbornly clustered in five U.S. cities: Boston, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle and San Diego. Schumer’s bill seeks to share the wealth.
A report in December by the Brookings Institution made the case for developing new innovation hubs. Brookings ranked 35 potential “growth centers,” based on population size, university STEM research and other factors. The report rated Buffalo Niagara 19th, Albany third, Rochester fifth and Syracuse 26th. Madison, Wis., was No. 1.
If the Endless Frontier Act becomes law, cities will make their pitches to the Commerce Department for the grants to launch their efforts as innovation centers. Thought leaders here have discussed merging Buffalo’s efforts with Rochester’s, creating a Thruway-linked powerhouse. Considering our cities’ outstanding research universities, access to inexpensive hydropower, and proximity to the Great Lakes, the combined region should be a powerful contender.