Niagara Falls, New York

a $1.1 million academic innovation hub for Niagara University. “Niagara University has been a great workforce development partner,” the Mayor says. “They’re also sponsoring TReC, a co-working incubator focused on tourism technology. It’s been a great place for people with ideas to get in there, network with other industry professionals, and launch some interesting and innovative businesses.” That same year, Blue Cardinal Capital acquired a sprawling downtown Niagara Falls real estate portfolio that included 38 parcels, mostly along Main Street. For the city, the deal was part of a multi-year development strategy to build what would essentially be a hub straddling both shores of the Niagara River. “This is a project that will hopefully link our communities even more closely,” Restaino shares. “Now that GO Train service is available to Toronto’s Union Station, we’re really in a position to pitch the opportunity for people to live or work here in Niagara Falls.”