Media Advisory: Liberty Seneca building, the subject of student business pitches for UB course on revitalizing WNY

BUFFALO, N.Y. — University at Buffalo students in the Western New York Prosperity Fellows Program will work to reimagine South Buffalo’s Liberty Seneca building during a weeklong seminar that transforms the region into a learning lab.

From touring the Ford Gum factory to speaking with Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz, local entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders, the students will culminate their ideas into a business concept pitch on revitalizing the vacant Liberty Seneca, a historic building in the heart of the Seneca Street corridor.

The UB seminar aims to help students develop a deeper understanding of the challenges to and opportunities for economic growth for the region.

What: Western New York Prosperity Fellowship Program Winter Seminar.

Who: Prosperity Fellows, whom include UB undergraduate and graduate students, will meet with entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and other change-makers over the course of one week.

The Western New York Prosperity Fellowship Program, funded by the Prentice Family Foundation, supports students who are committed to the region’s economic vitality by awarding each fellow up to $25,000 in scholarship and internship support for an academic year.

Fellows promise to work in Western New York for at least two years within 10 years of graduation, fueling economic growth for the region. Click for a list of fellows.

When: The seminar takes place the week of Jan. 21, with each day featuring a range of activities. Media are invited to attend the highlights below.

To RSVP, contact Hadar Borden, director of the WNY Prosperity Fellowship Program, at hborden@buffalo.edu.

Wednesday, Jan. 23:

Tour Ford Gum & Machine Company, 9-11 a.m., 18 Newton Ave.,
Akron.

A manufacturer of chewing and bubble gum often found in gum machines, Ford Gum produces Big League Chew and is one of the only large scale manufacturers of gumballs in the U.S. The tour will be led by George Stege, owner of Ford Gum and a UB alumnus.

Thursday, Jan. 24:

Tour Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation: 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m., corner of Pearl Street and Perry Boulevard, Buffalo.

Fellows will explore Canalside during a tour led by Jill Clarke, WNY Prosperity Fellowship Program alumnus and marketing project manager of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation. The group will meet at the “Shark Girl” statue at the corner of Pearl Street and Perry Boulevard.

Tour ACV Auctions: 12:30-2 p.m., 640 Ellicott St., No. 321, Buffalo.

Students will tour ACV Auctions, a startup focused on online wholesale auto auctions. Fellows will speak with several ACV Auctions employees, including Joe Peacock, WNY Prosperity Fellowship Program alumnus and vice president of engineering; Dan Magnuszewski, co-founder and chief technology officer; and Phil Schneider, WNY Prosperity Fellowship Program alumnus and research engineer.

Tour Liberty Seneca, 4:15-5 p.m., 2221 Seneca St., Buffalo.

The tour of the historic building will be led by Matthew Hartrich, vice president of development at Schneider Development Services.

Friday, Jan. 25:

Discussion with Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Rath County Office Building, 95 Franklin St., Buffalo.

Startup Simulation: 12-5 p.m., Shea's Seneca, 2178 Seneca St., Buffalo.

The week of activities will culminate in a startup simulation, during which fellows will form teams to develop and pitch a business concept to utilize the 8,200-square-feet of vacant space within the Liberty Seneca building and help revitalize the neighborhood. The pitches, which begin at 4 p.m., will take place at the recently restored Shea’s Seneca building.