What is the New York State Empire Zone?

“Our tax-free Empire Zones are one of New York’s most powerful and effective tools to fuel additional job creation and economic growth.” –Governor George Pataki

The New York State Empire Zones Program originated under the New York State Economic Development Zones Program. It was created in 1986 by the N.Y.S. Economic Development Zones Act to stimulate economic growth in different areas around the state. Originally, the program aimed to promote investment and job creation opportunities in a few distressed areas of New York, yet at present there are 72 Zones throughout the state that have all been re-designated as Empire Zones and are each a part of the N.Y.S. Empire Zones Program. There are more than 9,000 certified businesses employing about 300,000 employees in those 72 New York Empire Zones.

Not solely for extremely economically troubled areas today, the goal of each Empire Zone is to assist areas through a variety of financial incentives and economic development benefits. This program is in place to help attract new businesses to an area and enable existing businesses to expand, become more competitive, and create more jobs within that zone. Check out the Incentives/Benefits page to view the extensive list of financial reasons why you should join the zone.

Empire Zones have sparked new investment across the State and attracted such leading companies as IBM, which has made its single largest capital investment ever- $2.5 billion to build the world’s most advanced chip factory in East Fishkill, a project that will add 1000 new jobs to the local economy. Based on the extraordinary success of the program in bringing businesses to New York, the state is considering the creation of 10 new Zones.

The ESD

Empire State Development (ESD) is thoroughly involved in local EZs. The ESD encourages and supports activities that both strengthen the state’s economy and protect and preserve the environment. To accomplish this, the ESD offers a range of resources to help businesses identify and transform environmental concerns into market opportunities and competitive advantages.

Ranked third in the nation in exports, New York State offers unsurpassed access to markets, services, and expertise for businesses starting and expanding international sales activity. Empire State Development administers two customized services created to help N.Y. businesses prosper by entering new foreign markets. These are:

Export Marketing Assistance Service (EMAS): helps businesses find sales agents or distributors abroad by employing the state’s network of foreign offices and global business experience

Global Export Market Service (GEMS): helps businesses expand through increased export activity. Aimed at small and medium companies, it can provide up to $25,000 in export marketing consultant services for individual companies and up to $50,000 for groups of companies or industry associations. ESD will evaluate a company’s needs and commitment before approving proposals.