1. Buffalo, NY is ranked in the Top 5 Safest* cities
in the U.S. by Risk & Insurance Magazine
*Based on low susceptibility to major business disruptions such as
weather disturbances, earthquakes and terrorism.
Data Centers
Opportunities and
Advantages
Lockport, New York
In 2010 Yahoo! opened the doors of its newest data
center in Buffalo Niagara because of its low-cost and
reliable power, mild climate, access to sophisticated
telecommunications networks, pool of available
information technology workers and lack of natural
disasters. Discover how expanding in Buffalo Niagara
can benefit your bottom line.

2. Educated and Affordable Talent
Graduates from information technology degree programs at the
region’s nationally recognized colleges and universities provide a Buffalo Niagara is home to 23 colleges
significant workforce pipeline. In 2009, Buffalo Niagara had more and universities producing more
than 600 graduates with computer science degrees. Buffalo
Niagara can meet your company’s needs for a skilled workforce
than 25,000 graduates annually.
through customized training programs and continuing education.
Computer Science Occupations Annual Wage Comparison
Buffalo, NY U.S. Phoenix, AZ Seattle, WA Omaha, NE New York, NY
Computer Support Specialist $55,294 $57,043 $56,497 $63,409 $54,311 $65,533
Computer Network Analyst $76,116 $77,551 $77,816 $85,007 $74,802 $89,166
Data Security Analyst $73,967 $75,378 $75,631 $82,652 $72,702 $86,670
Computer Programmer $75,798 $77,123 $77,494 $84,558 $74,402 $88,952
Computer Systems Analyst $67,310 $68,608 $68,740 $75,458 $65,954 $78,832
Computer Software Engineer $86,604 $88,033 $88,471 $96,475 $85,103 $101,267
Database Administrator $87,681 $89,103 $89,563 $97,653 $86,160 $102,508
Network/Data Communications Manager $96,987 $98,328 $98,990 $107,840 $95,287 $113,219
Computer Systems Manager $106,383 $101,399 $101,207 $116,269 $99,012 $122,110
Cost of Living Index 95.1 100.0 99.6 120.2 88.2 209.7
Cost of Construction Index 109.7 108.4 96.2 112.2 98.2 142.6
Source: Economic Research Institute, based on 10 years experience. Estimates only. Not all occupations for this category are listed.
Easily Accessible
At $134.00 per person, the Buffalo
Niagara region enjoys among the lowest
Average Airfare Costs as compared to
the 50 largest metropolitan areas.
Pacific Ocean Atlantic Ocean
Flight Times from Buffalo-Niagara Intl. Airport*
1 London, United Kingdom 9.6 Hours **
2 Paris, France 10.1 Hours **
3 Frankfurt, Germany 10.5 Hours **
4 Boston, Massachusetts 1.2 Hours
Gulf of 5 New York City, New York 1.2 Hours
Mexico
6 Washington D.C. 1.3 Hours
Averaging 110 daily flights with nonstop service to 19 cities and 23
airports, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BNIA) plays an 7 Atlanta, Georgia 2.2 Hours
essential role in the development of business and tourism in the 8 Chicago, Illinois 1.8 Hours
region. Non-stop flights to major metro areas including: Atlanta,
Caribbean Sea 9 Dallas, Texas 4.7 Hours **
Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Minneapolis-St.
Paul, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. 10 Los Angeles, California 7.1 Hours **
11 Seattle, Washington 7.2 Hours **
* Average flight times. Includes any lay-over time. ** No direct flights. Direct flights may be departing out of these cities.

3. Valuable Local and State Incentives
Peace Bridge to Ontario, Canada
State Tax Credits
ExcElsiOr JOBs PrOgrAm
The Excelsior Jobs Program provides job creation and investment
‘‘this facility is going to be the single most
incentives to firms in targeted industries such as biotechnology,
pharmaceutical, high-tech, clean-technology, green technology, efficient, environmentally friendly data center
financial services, agriculture and manufacturing. in the planet,’’ vowed David Dibble, Yahoo! Executive Vice
Firms in the Excelsior Jobs Program may qualify for four new, fully President of Services for Engineering and Operations, regarding
refundable tax credits. the opening of the new Yahoo! Datat Center in Lockport, NY.
Businesses claim the credits over a five year period. To earn any
of the following credits, firms must first meet and maintain the
established job and investment thresholds:
Energy–Efficient Advantages
• Jobs Tax Credit: A credit of between $2,500 and $5,000
per new job to cover a portion of the associated payroll cost.
Abundant Fresh Water Resources
• Investment Tax Credit: Valued at two Buffalo Niagara is uniquely situated between Lake Erie and
percent of qualified investments. Lake Ontario. The Great Lakes system, the world’s largest
• Research and Development Tax Credit: A ten group of freshwater lakes, comprises 20% of the world’s
percent credit for new investments based on the fresh water. The region’s accessibility to Lake Erie, Lake
Federal Research and Development credit. Ontario and the Niagara River also serves as a valuable
resource to assist data centers by providing low-cost fresh
• Real Property Tax Credit: Available to firms locating in water to help mitigate cooling costs.
certain distressed areas and to firms in targeted industries
that meet higher employment and investment thresholds. Climate Advantages
Local Industrial Development The region’s cool climate, helped by consistent winds off the
Great Lakes, with low humidity allows Data Center operators
Agency (IDA) Tax Abatements in Buffalo Niagara to realize cost savings by using outside air
for cooling, which is more energy efficient in terms of electric,
PrOPErty tAx ABAtEmENt
water, and wastewater utilization.
Abatement of Real Property Tax is for a 10 or 15-year period on the Buffalo Niagara enjoys an average temperature of 48oF,
improved value of property. Conventional Payment in Lieu of Taxes and on only 4 days per year does the temperature go above
(PILOT) schedules are administered by the IDA taking title to real 90oF. Buffalo Niagara’s climate is a strategic advantage which
property and requiring landowners to make payments in an agreed helps Data Center operators realize energy efficiency and
percentage for a specified number of years. Property is generally cost savings.
transferred from IDA title to the tax rolls upon the expiration of the
PILOT agreement or upon redemption of any and all bonds used to Green, Clean Hydropower
finance the project.
Low-cost hydropower has been reserved by New York State
sAlEs tAx ABAtEmENt law for companies planning to build or expand in the Buffalo
Mediterranean
Niagara region. The program offers renewable hydroelectric
Sea Abatement of Sales Tax requires the IDA to function as the power at an extremely affordable cost. Allocations depend on
purchaser of eligible merchandise prior to the transaction. This project size and scope, in particular, new job creation. This
benefit allows for savings of approximately 8% to 8.75% on program is administered by the New York Power Authority
construction materials, finishing improvements, and equipment (NYPA) and is allocated through a competitive process.
purchases.
mOrtgAgE rEcOrdiNg
‘‘it is going to be, by far, yahoo’s most
tAx ABAtEmENt
efficient and arguably the most innovative
The New York State Mortgage Recording Tax for commercial
data center, at least from a cooling
property is one percent (1% of the principal amount of the bond/
mortgage). Local IDAs may exempt approved projects from perspective,’’ said Scott Noteboom, Yahoo! Data
payment of mortgage recording tax, based on appropriate Center Engineering Operations Director, referring the
economic development factors. opening of the new Yahoo! Data Center in Lockport, NY.
www.buffaloniagara.org

4. Available Real Estate
Throughout Buffalo Niagara, you’ll find a large selection of design/ Buffalo Niagara Ranked Among
build options and shovel-ready sites ranging anywhere from 100 to ‘‘Greenest’’ Metro Areas
900 acres or more. All real estate is available at highly competitive
– American City Business Journal, March 11, 2010
rates – Buffalo Niagara is nationally recognized for its affordable
real estate values.
To determine best Buffalo Niagara sites, buildings and
infrastructure to meet your unique data center needs, visit our
website at www.buffaloniagara.org or contact Buffalo Niagara
Enterprise at 800.916.9073.
Downtown Buffalo
‘‘I was raised in Upstate New York
but left the region following college.
I enjoyed each of my stops in various cities, but found that
the best that these areas had to offer usually came with
compromises that didn’t work with my long-term goals.
When we were deciding what works for us, my wife and
I discovered that Buffalo Niagara would offer challenging
careers and great communities without many of the obstacles
we faced elsewhere. Now we are raising our family in a historic,
city neighborhood and both work on some of the most exciting
projects in the area. We can truly say that we appreciate the variety
that life here has to offer even more the second time around.’’
– Paul Bonnaro, Yahoo! Data Center Facilities Manager, Lockport, NY
Let’s get to work.
Nobody understands how to be successful in this region better
than Buffalo Niagara Enterprise. Whether you’re interested
in obtaining market and demographic data, need assistance
acquiring a potential site, or looking for special programs that can
give you a jump-start—BNE is at your service. Contact us today to
get started.
665 Main Street, Suite 200
www.buffaloniagara.org/datacenters Buffalo, NY 14203
1.800.916.9073
© Buffalo Niagara Enterprise (BN-DataCenters 09_10)