A research project between universities in neighbouring countries will take a close look at the economy on both sides of the Niagara River.<\/p>\n
Brock University\u2019s Niagara Community Observatory and the\u00a0<\/strong>University at Buffalo\u2019s School of Architecture and Planning<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>have teamed up to create a one-year research project that is taking an inventory of the two neighbouring economies.<\/p>\n The project aims to lay the groundwork for regional economic growth stemming from the start-up of cross-border partnerships.<\/p>\n \u201cThe ambition of this project is to begin to leverage Niagara\u2019s assets as a border community, to extend the hand of partnership across the border,\u201d says NCO Director Charles Conteh. \u201cBoth sides of the border are in economic transition. Recent reports suggest that cross-border regions are becoming more globally competitive for firms and talent.\u201d<\/p>\n Collaborating with the NCO are Brock\u2019s Goodman School of Business and the Niagara Community Foundation. UB\u2019s School of Architecture and Planning is heading up the American research.<\/p>\n The bi-national team\u2019s first workshop will take place at 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7 at University at Buffalo\u2019s <\/strong>School of Architecture and Planning<\/strong>. It will focus on the life sciences sector.<\/p>\n \u201cThe binational team is conducting relevant economic, legal and planning research that will shed light on economic opportunities presented by virtue of the fact that we live, work, and play in a cross-border region,\u201d says Conteh.<\/p>\n \u201cCollaborating and positioning ourselves as a binational region would strengthen our position in the global marketplace,\u201d says Kathryn Friedman, research associate professor at the UBRI and project co-coordinator.<\/p>\n \u201cWe would become a very attractive region for investment and economic growth,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n The Cross-Border Innovation and Prosperity research project focuses on four key sectors: health\/life sciences; advanced\u00a0manufacturing; cultural\/heritage tourism; and natural resources stewardship.<\/p>\n Researchers on both sides of the border will collect, map and analyze data on the Niagara, Ontario and Buffalo, New York regions’ economic strengths and weaknesses in these sectors.<\/p>\n The research includes holding three workshops that provincial, state, regional and municipal public sector officials, business representatives and officials from the non-profit sector from Niagara, Ontario and Buffalo Niagara.<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough Brock and the University at Buffalo are anchoring this effort, we are truly looking for this to be a cross-sectoral, binational initiative,\u201d says Friedman.<\/p>\n UB\u2019s School of Architecture and Planning is hosting the first workshop on Nov. 7, 2016, where Conteh and other researchers will present information collected so far on the life sciences sector \u201cto engage key stakeholders in exploring a cross-border approach to economic growth and prosperity,\u201d says Conteh.<\/p>\n He explains that an economically strong and prosperous Niagara will attract and employ young people, which will help to stem the problem of youth outmigration.<\/p>\n A host of high-level funders are backing the initiative.<\/p>\n Funders include: the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)\u2019s Borders in Globalization initiative, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Niagara Community Foundation, the Oishei Foundation, the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, the Peace Bridge Authority, the Regional Municipality of Niagara, and Meridian Credit Union.<\/p>\n Studies have shown economic potential in the Niagaras of both countries.<\/p>\n