The Albany Law School Government Law Center created the Model Zoning Ordinance . According to Fluor Daniel research, back-office operations including call centers and data processing have accounted for approximately 80 percent of large office contract leases for the past several years. With national unemployment at low levels, especially in large metropolitan areas, small communities are becoming attractive locations for back-office operations. Labor quality and availability of telecommunications infrastructure are the most important site factors. Small communities benefit from increased employment opportunities as manufacturing and agriculture employment shrink, and companies do not usually require the extensive transportation and distribution networks of urban or suburban areas.
Many call centers are present in western New York.
Major employers include Softbank Services and International Data Response Corporation of Buffalo, Ingram Micro of Williamsville, GE Capital of Amherst, and Teletech at Niagara Falls. This concentration of call centers could attract other companies seeking to tap into an established labor pool. A minimum 25-acre site is required to accommodate a prospective office building or buildings and sufficient parking. There are no special topographical requirements or limitations, although flat and level parcels are less costly to develop. Utility needs Because office parks are large consumers of electric power and long distance telephone service, competitive utility rates are vital.