‘Eds and meds’ play key role in city’s economic rebirth

They’re often referred to as “eds and meds” or “anchor institutions.” They’re the university and medical centers found in major cities across the country. And they’re not likely to pack up and move anytime soon, making them important contributors to the future economic health of the cities in which they reside.

UB’s Office of Educational Collaboration and Engagement is among the organizations spearheading an effort in Buffalo to harness the power and size of the city’s eds and meds to create pathways to jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for Buffalo residents in general, and for people who live near UB’s Downtown Campus and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus in particular.

More than 100 people representing a diverse range of local and national organizations gathered earlier this year at Roswell Park Cancer Institute for a conference. It was an outgrowth of the Economic Opportunity Panel report issued in April 2013.

“This is a community-wide strategy. The anchor institutions here are interested in the same goals, but we need to hear the community’s input to help us understand the best approaches,” says Mary Gresham, vice provost for educational collaboration and engagement. “It’s a collaborative venture. Instead of going in 45 different directions, we said let’s work together. It was much more effective and powerful because of that.”

The conference was titled “Anchor Institutions and the New Economy in Buffalo: Toward a New Paradigm for Urban Regeneration.” The idea was to bring in nationally recognized experts from anchor institutions in Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia and Syracuse to share their experiences with their counterparts in Buffalo. The speakers were leaders of anchor institutions who helped spearhead successful efforts to create economic opportunities for residents and business owners in their own areas.

Attendees participated in several roundtable discussions covering such topics as creating business opportunities between anchor institutions and minority and women entrepreneurs, workforce development and leveraging anchor institutions to build sustainable and equitable cities.

“What we’re doing has never been done here,” says Gresham. “This conference was a first step. Now we’re in the process of planning how to go forward.”

Some attendees felt UB and others are doing a good job of creating economic opportunities in the city, while others argued more could be done. “We had a good give and take around that,” Gresham says. “It was important that each voice in the room got to hear the others’ position. Our plan is to continue cultivating these partnerships so we can move forward together.”

The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo was the local host, with UB, People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH Buffalo), UB’s Regional Institute in the School of Architecture and Planning, John R. Oishei Foundation, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and Open Buffalo as partners. The Ford Foundation is a national co-sponsor.

Other national co-sponsors include the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the F.B. Heron Foundation, the Open Society Foundations and the Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities.