Press Releases
Strengthening Ties with Canada, Kennedy Secures More Than $1 Million for UB’s Center of Excellence for Cross-Border Supply Chains
Buffalo, NY,
March 30, 2026
New Initiative from UB, With Funding Secured by Kennedy, Will Help Small and Medium-Sized Businesses to Assess Cross-Border Opportunities and Tap Into Regional Capacity on Both Sides of the Border Initiative Will Help to Build a More Competitive and Inclusive WNY Economy, Emphasizing Region’s Strengths BUFFALO, N.Y. - Rep. Tim Kennedy (NY-26) announced today that he secured $1.03 million in federal funding for the University at Buffalo’s Center of Excellence for Cross-Border Supply Chains. Operating under the School of Management, the initiative will help small- and medium-sized businesses successfully navigate complex cross-border logistics and implement effective reshoring strategies to bring manufacturing back to our region. By leveraging the region’s proximity to Canada, as well as state-of-the-art resources like UB’s Empire AI, the Center will deploy faculty-led, student-supported teams to work directly with regional firms. They will analyze global supply networks, assess costs associated with labor, energy, and tariffs, and prototype localized supply chains rooted in Western New York’s strengths. In December 2025 alone, more than $5.7 billion in trade crossed the Niagara River.[1] Due to market volatility and tariffs, trade between Canada and the United States decreased in 2025, with goods imported from Canada down by 7% and goods exported to Canada down 3.8%.[2] Kennedy and UB’s initiative aims to jumpstart cross-border trade, create jobs, and strengthen local businesses. “Our region’s future is intrinsically linked to its relationship with Canada, and we cannot afford to let that opportunity languish," said Congressman Kennedy. “With roughly 60% of Canada’s population within 500 miles of the City of Good Neighbors, and with tens of billions of dollars crossing the Niagara every year, it’s critical that we strengthen our ties with our Canadians neighbors to create good-paying local jobs and ensure the long-term viability of our region’s economy. I’m excited to see the results that the bright minds at UB can achieve, and I look forward to building more connections with our Canadian friends.” "Thanks to the leadership of Congressman Kennedy, the University at Buffalo is advancing cross-border supply chains that are vital to Western New York’s economy,” said UB President Satish K. Tripathi. “By leveraging our world-class research, advanced analytics and the ingenuity of our faculty and students, we can translate knowledge into practical solutions that enhance manufacturing and foster robust economic growth. This federal support enables UB to deepen our collaboration with companies navigating complex networks, further reinforcing our region as a hub of innovation in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.” “In today's volatile global supply chains, small businesses face challenges in choosing the best mix of domestic sourcing, imports and export opportunities to maintain profitability, while also enabling local economic growth,” says Ananth Iyer, Dean of the University at Buffalo School of Management. “We appreciate the federal investment in a cross-border Center of Excellence that can bridge the gap between the School of Management-led analysis and data integration and practical small business specific business needs. Such activities align with our goal to engage for impact by creating opportunities for our students and faculty to solve real-world problems that can increase Western New York’s economic growth.”
Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said “This investment demonstrates what we in Buffalo know to be true — our identity and economy are linked to the state of our cross-border relationship with Southern Ontario. At a time when anti-Canadian sentiment is coming out of Washington, this is a reminder that Buffalo will always value a strong relationship with Canada and the shared success it brings. Supporting the University at Buffalo’s Center of Excellence means giving our small and mid-sized businesses the tools they need to grow, create jobs, and help our region compete in a global economy. I thank Congressman Kennedy for delivering this funding and for continuing to invest in Buffalo’s economic future.” As global trade becomes increasingly volatile, building reliable supply chains closer to home is essential for economic security and growth. The Center of Excellence for Cross-Border Supply Chains will help to ensure that Western New York’s manufacturing sector remains strong for years to come.
### [1] https://www.bts.gov/newsroom/north-american-transborder-freight-increased-12-december-2025-december-2024 [2] https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/americas/canada# |