Regional Institute Releases Report on Tourism Development in the Southtowns of Erie County

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo Regional Institute has released the final report on tourism development in the Southtowns, culminating a two-year collaborative planning effort for the Towns of Brant, Eden, Evans and North Collins, and the Villages of Angola, Farnham and North Collins.

Titled "Tourism Toolkit: Strategies and Actions Steps for Tourism Development in the Southtowns of Erie County," the report addresses agritourism, recreational and heritage tourism, tourism marketing and the development of visitor support services for the largely rural area that is dotted with farms and nestled along Lake Erie.

The tourism planning effort is the result of a partnership between the institute and the Southtowns Community Enhancement Coalition, a consortium of elected officials and other representatives from the seven municipalities, that works to address shared challenges and opportunities in economic development and tourism.

With two rounds of funding awarded by the New York State Quality Communities Program, the coalition contracted the institute to compile an inventory of tourism assets in the area, assess its tourism strengths and weaknesses, and then engage the community in development of the final strategic plan. The plan was presented to the public in October.

"The Southtowns area clearly has the potential for increased tourism activity, especially in consideration of the growth of rural tourism nationwide and the Buffalo Niagara region's broader tourism strengths," said Kathryn A. Foster, institute director. "The tourism action plan will serve as a practical tool for translating strategies into action and realizing tourism development."

Among the Southtowns' most well-known assets are Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff Estate in Evans, Evangola State Park in Brant, the annual Eden Corn Festival, historic Quaker landmarks in North Collins and vegetable, fruit, dairy and livestock farms across the four-town area. The asset inventory, part of the effort's first phase completed in December 2005, identified more than 300 tourism assets.

"This effort taps the collective tourism potential of the Southtowns area and builds on the strategic, inter-municipal partnerships fostered by the coalition," said Lori Szewczyk, community development director for the Town of Evans and coordinator for the coalition. "We are eager to engage the community as we move forward in implementing the various action steps identified in the final report."

"The Southtowns' tourism strengths, especially in the areas of agriculture and natural assets, combined with the commitment of the coalition and community, strategically positions the area to take advantage of a prime opportunity for community development," said Rachel M. Teaman, institute director of communications and regional initiatives and director of the tourism planning effort.

The report identifies specific action steps for enhancing visitor readiness, bolstering an already strong agritourism industry, tapping the potential of the area's natural resources such as Lake Erie and its parks network, and investing in the area's historic assets and unique arts, antiques and crafts niche. The report also identifies key regional and state partners and specific funding opportunities. The report is available online at http://regional-institute.buffalo.edu.

A major research and public policy unit of UB, the Regional Institute plays a vital role in addressing key policy and governance issues for regions, with focused analysis of the Buffalo Niagara region. A unit of the UB Law School, the institute leverages the resources of the university and binational community to pursue a wide range of scholarship, projects and initiatives that frame issues, inform decisions and guide change.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.