Phase II of Northland Central Project Exceeds Minority/Women-Owned Business Utilization Goals

The recently completed Phase II of the Northland Central project, located in Buffalo, New York, creates a new home for Buffalo Manufacturing Works. This second phase of construction provides 50,000 square feet of a facility that is twice the size of the organization’s previous space. Gilbane Building Company served as general contractor on the project.

“The completion of Phase II of Northland Central is yet another step forward in the continued economic development of Western New York,” said John Cleary, senior project executive, Gilbane Building Company. “This project, which will help advance Buffalo’s manufacturing capability, is particularly exciting because of the involvement of the local workforce and the training programs that helped workers develop the skills they need to succeed in the construction industry.”

The general contractor’s local outreach efforts ensured the team exceeded minority women-owned business participation. A strong minority partner who assisted with the outreach and project construction was the 34 Group, run by Patti and Thurman Thomas. Gilbane and the 34 Group have worked together on several projects around the state since establishing a mentor protégé agreement in 2016. Additionally, a major focus of the team was the local participation of the workforce. Approximately 900 local workers were hired on the project, including over 30% minority- and women-owned businesses.

Buffalo Manufacturing Works is a space for manufacturers all over the country to learn from leading professionals and take their businesses to the next level, learning how to implement new technologies, improve productivity and find new ways for their companies to grow. The project will help boost the local economy, and the utilization of local labor on the project’s construction is the first step in that process.