6% for Niagara!

(Editor’s note: Shawn Weber is an investor, entrepreneur and passionate Niagara Falls advocate. Please support Wine on Third. While USA Niagara struggles to build out an entertainment district, people like Weber have real vision. I bet even Nate McMurray agrees.)

By Shawn Weber

Special to the Express

As it turns out, Erie County negotiated something very interesting as part of the new Buffalo Bills stadium agreement.

A 6% County surcharge applies to tickets, concessions, merchandise, parking and other sales at the stadium.

Think about that for a moment.

If Erie County can establish a 6% local revenue mechanism around economic activity taking place at a major State-owned facility, why shouldn't Niagara Falls have a similar arrangement for the enormous State-controlled economy operating inside our city?

Niagara Falls State Park claims to have welcomed approximately 8.9 MILLION visitors in 2025. Yet some of the most valuable tourism assets in Niagara Falls are controlled by New York State rather than the City of Niagara Falls.

I believe it's time to put a simple principle on the table:

6% FOR NIAGARA.

That could mean a locally dedicated 6% revenue share connected to:

Maid of the Mist tickets and related concessions and souvenir sales.

Cave of the Winds admissions and associated sales.

Food, beverage and retail concessions throughout Niagara Falls State Park, including operations managed by Delaware North.

Paid parking within Niagara Falls State Park.

Niagara Falls Bridge Commission toll revenue associated with our international crossings.

And finally, an additional 6% host-community revenue share tied to the Niagara Power Project, distributed throughout Niagara County.

The exact legal structure would have to be negotiated with New York State, NYPA and, in the case of the bridges, the binational Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. But that shouldn't stop us from asking the bigger question.

Why is the concept of local revenue sharing good enough for Erie County but not good enough for Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls provides New York State with one of the most recognizable tourism destinations on Earth. Our river produces enormous amounts of hydroelectric power. Millions of visitors spend money here. International travelers cross our bridges. State-controlled attractions and concessions generate revenue year after year.

Meanwhile, the City containing these assets continues struggling with property taxes, infrastructure, neighborhoods, public safety and economic development.

This isn't about asking Albany for another grant.

It's about Niagara Falls receiving a permanent share of the wealth generated by Niagara Falls.

Imagine what a dedicated local revenue stream could mean for roads, neighborhoods, tax relief, public safety, economic development and a cleaner, stronger downtown.

Erie County established the precedent.

Now Niagara Falls should start the conversation:

6% FOR NIAGARA.

If our natural resources and our tourism economy generate the revenue, our community deserves a meaningful share of it.

I think that's a conversation every elected official in Western New York should be willing to have.