BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Community Benefits Oversight Committee (CBOC) is seeking more information about how the Buffalo Bills invest in Western New York as they dive deeper into the team's first report on spending.
The report detailed the Bills' 2023 community investment which totaled nearly $3.7 million and supported organizations ranging from Oishei Children's Hospital to FeedMore WNY.
One month after its release CBOC members discussed the Bills’ investments publicly for the first time and posed follow-up questions, which committee member Maria Whyte summarized: "How it was decided? Who benefitted and what impact?"
Whyte questioned if the Bills' investment in established programs satisfied the full terms of the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), pointing to language that called for "...further and continuing..." investment.
Committee member Toni Cannady said the CBA states the Bills will continue initiatives “consistent with past practices” and other programs that align with the agreement's goals.
“We’re really excited about what’s on the horizon. We're having really deep conversations with other community groups and also with some organizations on key elements like workforce development,” said Buffalo Bills Vice President of New Stadium Relations Penny Semaia.
Over six months after their first meeting, however, there are still questions about the committee’s role in oversight. Rhonda Fredrick, a committee member asked if the CBOC has a say in what the Bills support off the field. Cannady said the team is open to suggestions.
“We are happy to take on recommendations from the committee,” she said.
According to the CBA, the committee and the team will “collaborate to identify community vulnerabilities and priorities.”
Several members said they want to understand the Bills' previous methodology however before considering any new investment. Hence they're asking for a list of who the team previously supported, why, and what the impact was.
"We're building it as we fly because this is the first of its kind that's ever been done in our community and we want to make sure we get it right," said Committee Chairman Reverend Mark Blue.
Semaia told 2 On Your Side that the Bills are in the process of phasing in new analytic tools that will help with determining the impact of their investment.
"We're making sure that we're tracking every single community member every single identifying objective and making sure they align with the various objectives we have both as an organization and as a community benefits agreement... we want to make sure that it's concise and that it's painting the picture of just how our community benefits investment is impacting the community," he said.
The CBA tasks the committee with more than recommendations, it states the CBOC will “provide monitoring, oversight, and accountability in connection with the performance of this Agreement.”
The Bills have provided monthly updates to the committee in that regard and similar to their last meeting have shown they are satisfying or nearly satisfying all MWBE (Minority and Women Business Enterprises) and SDVOB (Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses) metrics.
While the committee continues to work out how investment will play out over the next 30 years, opportunities to get involved in stadium construction are dwindling as the new Highmark Stadium enters phase 4 of its development according to Semaia.
He told 2 On Your Side that package three for prime contractors has already been decided but that opportunities for sub-contractors to get involved will still be available, along with work when the current stadium is demolished beyond 2026.
So far, the committee’s oversight has been minimal despite a total of five meetings since February partly because of a "misunderstanding" about the Bills' commitment. 2 On Your Side asked why the Bills' previous investment has so far dictated discussion.
Chairman Blue: “The Bills have been doing what they've been doing and we want to just add to it. We want to walk alongside them."
Reporter: "Does walking alongside an organization constitute oversight? Is that what you guys are tasked with?"
Chairman Blue: "That's what we're tasked with again we want to see where we fit in this. Again this is brand new to us but to the Bills organization as well so we are partnering together to make the best impact that we can make in Western New York."
The committee also discussed two resolutions that aim to get more Western New York businesses involved in stadium construction.
Committee member Sean Mulligan advocated for right-sized contracts and a timeline for the first public hearing to “maximize the participation of local disadvantaged businesses.”
Those resolutions will be voted on at next month’s meeting.