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Summit speaker talks steps in development

OBSERVER Photo Patrick Whalen speaks to community and business leaders on Tuesday morning at the State University of New York at Fredonia.

OBSERVER Staff Report

Attitude is everything, especially in development. That was the message from Patrick Whalen on Tuesday morning at the State University of New York at Fredonia Science Center.

Whalen was the featured speaker during the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation’s Local Economic Development summit that focused on collaborations and changing a defeatist mindset of our communities. The event was entitled the “Big Picture: Connecting the Puzzle Pieces for Economic Development.”

Whalen is currently the director of the Niagara Global Tourism Institute, which is working to rebrand the state side of Niagara Falls. One of the greatest obstacles the world-renowned tourist area faces is a longtime attitude that has been synonymous to Western New York for far too long. We almost fail to believe in ourselves — and our future.

“It’s self defeating,” he said. “And if you’re a tourism economy it’s even worse.”

Over the last 30 months, however, Whalen is starting to see a change for the better. In sports terminology, he’s searching for the base hits. Those small, positive developments that make a major change in the community over time.

“Stuff does not happen overnight, it takes a long time,” Whalen told the more than 80 community, business and elected leaders in attendance at the center.

So far in the Falls, the hits are coming. He’s seen eight new hotels, a positive sign, but making it more than a summer destination remains a priority. “We’re ready to start swinging for the fences … we’re not quite there yet, but we absolutely, positively have to get some kind of attraction in Niagara Falls for winter. … That’s going to be the key.”

Whalen, before taking on the challenges in Niagara Falls, helped grow the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus as chief operating officer. In his role, he helped break down communication barriers between health-care institutions and promote a team approach to problem solving.

“You get a lot more done as a collective than they can individually,” he said one of the engines of the Queen City’s rebirth. “I think that’s the secret sauce of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.”

Whalen also discussed opportunities for Chautauqua County, including a railroad that could connect Niagara Falls to Jamestown. While not sounding appealing for those who live here, it would be a major piece of the tourism pieces that include the arts in Buffalo as well as the coming Comedy Center in the county.

“Most visitors to Niagara Falls in the winter are not from North America, they’re not driving cars,” he said. “We have to figure out how to get them to Buffalo. We’re putting them on trains … and it’s actually working.”

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