Context
The region’s assets will play a key role in its evolution away from a manufacturing-based economy to a more service-oriented economy. Parks, museums, historic buildings, heritage resources and sports and recreation opportunities improve the quality of life for regional residents, attract visitors, and make Buffalo Niagara a more attractive place for people and businesses seeking to relocate.
What Regional Assets Measures
To measure the region’s standing with respect to Regional Assets, the State of the Region focuses on the issue of preserving and building on the region’s distinctive and substantial collection of assets. These include arts, culture and heritage, sports, parks and recreation, tourism and the region’s image and reputation.
The Road Ahead
The State of the Region urges development and monitoring of regional performance measures in these key areas, which will improve regional self-knowledge, pride and the ability to effectively market and promote the Buffalo Niagara Region.
Regional Assets Indicators - (Latest Indicator Updates)
11.1 Audiences for Arts and Culture — 
(Feb 2005 )
Proportion of Western New York adults attending select arts and cultural events in the region
11.2 Audiences for Sports and Recreation — (Feb 2005 )
Proportion of Western New York adults attending select professional sports and other recreational events
11.3 Affordability of Family Outings — (Feb 2005 )
Cost of select cultural and sports outings in Western New York for a hypothetical family of four; profile of discounted admissions at select arts and cultural attractions
11.4 Support for the Arts — (Jun 2006 )
Revenue profile (including earned revenue, government support and grants) of a group of Western New York arts and cultural organizations
11.5 Parks and Open Spaces — (Nov 1999 )
Per capita park and open space acreage in Western New York's eight counties
11.6 Preserving History — (Nov 2000 )
Proportion of Western New York municipalities with some form of a historic preservation tool, such as a preservation board or ordinance; number and location of Western New York listings on the National Register of Historic Places
11.7 Hosting Visitors — (Feb 2005 )
Number of visitors, including same-day and overnight travelers, to the Niagara (Ontario) Region; origin of those visiting Western New York
11.8 Sports Conventions — (Nov 2000 )
Number of and attendance profile of amateur sporting events attracted to the Greater Buffalo area of the region; convention activity for the Cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls
11.9 Regional Reputation — (Nov 1999 )
Extent and nature of media coverage of the binational Buffalo Niagara region in international cable television news and national newspapers
11.10 Diversity in Policy Influence — (Dec 2002 )
Gender, racial/ethnic composition of select governing boards in Western New York; Western New York residents’ perceptions of women and minorities’ opportunities to influence public policy in the region
Progress Over Time