By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said he can rattle off a number of projects that could benefit from a $1 billion state allocation pledged to the city and region by Gov. Andrew Cuomo during the annual State of the State address.

While details are still being worked out, Brown acknowledged that some of those dollars could end up aiding projects and development outside the City of Buffalo.

"Whether 100 percent of the money or 50 percent of the money goes to Buffalo, this is still something where the entire region will see the benefits," he said. "I'm not going to quibble where the $1 billion is going as long as it benefits Buffalo, Erie County, Niagara County or Western New York. What benefits one community ultimately benefits all communities."

Brown said he was taken aback when he arrived in Albany just hours before Cuomo's speech and heard about the allocation. It's designed to provide aid to economic development and tourism-based projects regionwide. The funds will be doled out over a period of years, with some coming from federal programs.

Cuomo said he hopes the money will have a 5-to-1 multiplier effect and result in more than $5 billion being invested in the region through private-sector funds.

"It's a historic allocation," Brown said, adding that more details will be announced in the next few weeks when Cuomo releases his 2012 state budget.

The mayor expects to meet with Cuomo soon to go over the initiative.

"We do need more definition from the governor about where the money will go and how it can be spent," he said.

Cuomo said he hopes Buffalo's allocation will mirror what happened in Albany when an infusion of state dollars led to major nanotechnology investments.

Brown, meanwhile, said he is busy compiling a list of projects that could benefit. The list includes continued investment in the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, the Canalside project, the Cars Sharing Main Street program, renovations at Statler City, the Hotel Lafayette and AM&A's Main Street store projects. Also, advancing developments at Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park and the adjoining RiverBend Commerce Park and a pair of historic underground railroad sites at 60 Hedley Place and Broderick Park.

Regionally, it's likely that some of the dollars may end up financing renovations at Ralph Wilson Stadium - a key element in lease talks between Erie County, the Buffalo Bills and New York state. Those renovations could top $130 million.

In the past month, Brown said, Cuomo-led initiatives have resulted in more than $1.1 billion being allocated to the region. That includes $100.3 million in last month's regional economic development council process and another $35 million that will provide seed money for the University at Buffalo to move its medical school to the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

"This is definitely a new age when it comes to economic development help from Albany," Brown said. "I used to feel like we were forgotten by Albany and Washington. But clearly that is not happening anymore."