The Board of Public Utilities celebrated the success of Retool Western New York’s “Retool ’22: A Climate Tech Manufacturing Conference for Manufacturers” at its recent board meeting.

The manufacturing conference was made possible through the BPU’s multi-year grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The intent was to attract new manufacturing businesses to the western New York region, provide networking opportunities for current manufacturers and increase awareness for potential growth in the emerging sector of climate tech manufacturing in the region.

BPU General Manager David Leathers expressed his gratitude for the team of staff members that worked to ensure the Retool ’22 event was a successful conference for everyone in attendance.

“Awesome job by the entire team, specifically Ellen who came on to the BPU in April and quickly became familiarized with the magnitude of the planning related to this conference,” he said. “Between Chris and Ellen, Becky’s assistance, a lot of staff support here and we had a lot of partners throughout the community, the overall feedback has been extremely positive. I think that was just an extremely positive event, so great job and thank you.”

Leathers also thanked the BPU board members who attended or supported the conference for their contribution to the success of the event.

Leathers described the conference as a “great event” that provided incredible opportunities to meet other manufacturers and engage in networking.

“I think it’s attracting companies into Western New York, attracting companies into the BPU territory,” he said. “We’re trying to work with our current regional manufacturers and are hopeful that we can have some recruiting of new businesses as well.”

While Leathers acknowledged that the state has “very aggressive targets” regarding climate change and the transition to alternative forms of renewable energy, he believes there is an opportunity for new manufacturing businesses to find success in the western New York region. By providing opportunities for positive connections at the Retool ’22 conference, Leathers believes the BPU sent a positive message to manufacturers.

“Now is the time for companies to know that the BPU territory is a place that they can set up shop and do business,” he said. “We made a lot of different contacts here, and I think that the external view looking into our area is extremely positive right now.”

Leathers believes the conference also showcased additional opportunities for local manufacturers. With “positive” and “refreshing” messaging through the event, Leathers indicated that existing manufacturers in the region were inspired to pursue new opportunities.

“I think there’s opportunities for our local manufacturers as well,” he said. “They seem to be excited about potential new opportunities for them. I think it’s a great time to be positive and creative related to manufacturing in our area.”

Ellen Ditonto, BPU business development coordinator, said the initial feedback from last week’s attendees has been “amazing.” Ditonto said the conference provided manufacturers in the region with an understanding of the technical and financial resources that are available to help their companies transition to becomes more energy efficient and take advantage of the opportunities in the climate tech manufacturing sector. She also explained the conference provided a platform to introduce national representatives from different businesses to local business leaders.

“The Jamestown BPU and all of the Retool WNY partners are thrilled with the success of the Retool’22 Conference held last week in Jamestown,” she said. “Each of our speakers was able to drive home the conference theme about the economic development opportunities within our reach in the emerging climate tech/clean tech sector.”

As the Retool Western New York initiative moves beyond the conference, Ditonto said there is funding remaining to provide additional manufacturing studies that could greatly benefit regional businesses pursuing climate tech and clean tech manufacturing opportunities.

While Ditonto said the initiative will “continue to assess” the impact of the conference and continue to develop beneficial economic partnerships with regional manufacturers, she explained the focus of the remaining funding will be on the manufacturing studies part of the grant funding.

“The Retool team is focusing now on that part of the overall initiative,” she said.