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 CentersOpportunities and

Advantages

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.

Lockport, New York

Atlantic Ocean

Gulf ofMexico

MediterraneanSea

Caribbean Sea

Pacific Ocean

Educated and Affordable Talent

Graduates from information technology degree programs at the region’s nationally recognized colleges and universities provide a significant workforce pipeline. In 2009, Buffalo Niagara had more than 600 graduates with computer science degrees. Buffalo Niagara can meet your company’s needs for a skilled workforce through customized training programs and continuing education.

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

5 New York City, New York 1.2 Hours

6 Washington D.C. 1.3 Hours

7 Atlanta, Georgia 2.2 Hours

8 Chicago, Illinois 1.8 Hours

9 Dallas, Texas 4.7 Hours **

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.

At $134.00 per person, the Buffalo

Niagara region enjoys among the lowest

Average Airfare Costs as compared to

the 50 largest metropolitan areas.

Buffalo Niagara is home to 23 colleges

and universities producing more

than 25,000 graduates annually.

Easily Accessible

Averaging 110 daily flights with nonstop service to 19 cities and 23 airports, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BNIA) plays an essential role in the development of business and tourism in the region. Non-stop flights to major metro areas including: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington DC.

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.

State Tax Credits

ExcElsiOr JOBs PrOgrAm

The Excelsior Jobs Program provides job creation and investment incentives to firms in targeted industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceutical, high-tech, clean-technology, green technology, financial services, agriculture and manufacturing.

Firms in the Excelsior Jobs Program may qualify for four new, fully refundable tax credits.

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:

• Jobs Tax Credit: A credit of between $2,500 and $5,000 per new job to cover a portion of the associated payroll cost.

• Investment Tax Credit: Valued at two percent of qualified investments.

• Research and Development Tax Credit: A ten percent credit for new investments based on the Federal Research and Development credit.

• Real Property Tax Credit: Available to firms locating in certain distressed areas and to firms in targeted industries that meet higher employment and investment thresholds.

Local Industrial Development Agency (IDA) Tax Abatements

PrOPErty tAx ABAtEmENt

Abatement of Real Property Tax is for a 10 or 15-year period on the improved value of property. Conventional Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) schedules are administered by the IDA taking title to real property and requiring landowners to make payments in an agreed percentage for a specified number of years. Property is generally 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 finance the project.

sAlEs tAx ABAtEmENt

Abatement of Sales Tax requires the IDA to function as the purchaser of eligible merchandise prior to the transaction. This benefit allows for savings of approximately 8% to 8.75% on construction materials, finishing improvements, and equipment purchases.

mOrtgAgE rEcOrdiNg tAx ABAtEmENt

The New York State Mortgage Recording Tax for commercial property is one percent (1% of the principal amount of the bond/mortgage). Local IDAs may exempt approved projects from payment of mortgage recording tax, based on appropriate economic development factors.

Atlantic Ocean

Gulf ofMexico

MediterraneanSea

Caribbean Sea

Pacific Ocean

Educated and Affordable Talent

www.buffaloniagara.org

Energy–Efficient Advantages

Abundant Fresh Water ResourcesBuffalo Niagara is uniquely situated between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The Great Lakes system, the world’s largest group of freshwater lakes, comprises 20% of the world’s fresh water. The region’s accessibility to Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the Niagara River also serves as a valuable resource to assist data centers by providing low-cost fresh water to help mitigate cooling costs.

Climate AdvantagesThe region’s cool climate, helped by consistent winds off the Great Lakes, with low humidity allows Data Center operators in Buffalo Niagara to realize cost savings by using outside air for cooling, which is more energy efficient in terms of electric, water, and wastewater utilization.

Buffalo Niagara enjoys an average temperature of 48oF, and on only 4 days per year does the temperature go above 90oF. Buffalo Niagara’s climate is a strategic advantage which helps Data Center operators realize energy efficiency and cost savings.

Green, Clean HydropowerLow-cost hydropower has been reserved by New York State law for companies planning to build or expand in the Buffalo Niagara region. The program offers renewable hydroelectric power at an extremely affordable cost. Allocations depend on project size and scope, in particular, new job creation. This program is administered by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and is allocated through a competitive process.

Peace Bridge to Ontario, Canada

Valuable Local and State Incentives

‘‘this facility is going to be the single most

efficient, environmentally friendly data center

in the planet,’’ vowed David Dibble, Yahoo! Executive Vice

President of Services for Engineering and Operations, regarding

the opening of the new Yahoo! Datat Center in Lockport, NY.

‘‘it is going to be, by far, yahoo’s most

efficient and arguably the most innovative

data center, at least from a cooling

perspective,’’ said Scott Noteboom, Yahoo! Data

Center Engineering Operations Director, referring the

opening of the new Yahoo! Data Center in Lockport, NY.

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.

www.buffaloniagara.org/datacenters665 Main Street, Suite 200

Buffalo, NY 14203

1.800.916.9073

© Buffalo Niagara Enterprise (BN-DataCenters 09_10)

Throughout Buffalo Niagara, you’ll find a large selection of design/build options and shovel-ready sites ranging anywhere from 100 to 900 acres or more. All real estate is available at highly competitive 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.

Let’s get to work.

Available Real Estate

‘‘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

Buffalo Niagara Ranked Among

‘‘Greenest’’ Metro Areas

– American City Business Journal, March 11, 2010

Downtown Buffalo