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 progr
