AMHERST, N.Y. -- The New York Power Authority is working to get businesses on board with the state's offshore wind industry.

NYPA introduced the Get-listed Program at the University at Buffalo on Wednesday afternoon.

The initiative calls for the development of offshore wind power projects in the New York State waters of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

The event was held so companies could learn how they can become a resource for the Great Lakes offshore wind project.

"You could have the potential of thousands of jobs created by this particular project alone right here in Western New York," said Richard Kessel, the president & CEO of the New York Power Authority.

NYPA announced the project last year. It would be the first fresh water wind energy initiative in the nation.