A push to forge a common agenda for economic growth among six fiercely independent cities in Upstate New York and Ontario appears to be gaining momentum.

A binational coalition of business leaders, economic developers and public officials met in Buffalo Thursday to plot strategies for promoting trade, tourism and investment in a region that organizers are calling "BorderNet."

The 25,000-square-mile region stretches as far south as the Southern Tier, north to Toronto and west to Syracuse. The primary population centers are Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Hamilton, Rochester and Syracuse.

Some local officials said even though plans are in the early stages, they are cautiously optimistic that the not-for-profit initiative will spawn new jobs and investment. But they also cited the importance and complexity -- of making sure that all entities work in a collaborative way to advance a regional economic agenda.

John R. Simon, executive director of the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency, said it will probably take at least 12 months before any tangible results are seen as a result of the new effort. In its first year, BorderNet hopes to create a first-of-a-kind database for corporate site selectors and a regional Web site. It also plans to sponsor economic summits with CEOs from large companies in the U.S. and Canada.

"I think this new initiative will give us more tools, but I want to make sure the tools are not scattered in different toolboxes," said Simon. "We need to figure out exactly how this effort will exist with current economic development efforts."

Alan Teichroeb, manager of business development for the Niagara Economic & Tourism Corp. in Thorold, Ontario, said the economic agendas of communities in Upstate New York and Southern Ontario are similar.

"In many ways, we are one big economy. Our goals and concerns are intertwined when it comes to trade, transportation and tourism," said Teichroeb, whose entity markets and promotes Canadian's Niagara Peninsula to new and expanding businesses.

The BorderNet region boasts 9 million people and 30,000 corporations and is the fourth largest trade corridor in the world, according to Willie Moskowitz, executive director of the Canada-U.S. BorderNet Alliance. He stressed that the initiative does not intend to duplicate economic development efforts that are currently under way in various metropolitan areas. Instead, he said the alliance aims to foster new joint ventures, technology transfer arrangements and import-export opportunities.

Moskowitz also said that BorderNet's goals are compatible with those of Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, a new $27 million regional marketing initiative that is being spearheaded by the business community.

"BNE is trying to create a one-stop shopping environment for companies and trying to foster a more business-friendly environment," he said, adding that BNE officials are actively involved in BorderNet. "We think we can assist that effort as we focus on the broader region," Moskowitz noted.

Although BorderNet is just starting to plot its first initiatives, the idea was conceived six years ago by Buffalo attorney Lauren D. Racklin. Last year, the not-for-profit organization hired Moskowitz as its first executive director. The entity has a $250,000 budget, funded with grants and contributions from alliance members. Moskowitz said a long-term budget and human resources issues are still being finalized.

County Executive Joel A. Giambra welcomed coalition participants to a day-long summit Thursday at the Advanced Training Center on Oak Street. Giambra said county officials are eager to work with other communities in Upstate New York and Southern Ontario to forge a common economic agenda.

One of BorderNet's top priorities this year will involve sponsorship of an economic development conference that could focus on one of several issues, including venture capital, tourism or the medical products and equipment sector.

Some officials acknowledged that there are distinct differences between cities like Toronto, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse. But they also pointed out that cities throughout the region share many common concerns, including infrastructure issues and promoting the corridor as a tourism destination.

"BorderNet can lend its collective weight to solving problems that impede economic growth," Teichroeb said.

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