EMPIRE ZONE BUSINESS CERTIFICATION

Empire Zone Certification 

To become Zone Certified, a business must be located within the Zone or be associated with an approved Regionally Significant Project.  In addition, the business must complete an Application for Joint Certification as an Empire Zone Enterprise.   

The businesses is encouraged to meet with the Zone to review the business’s plans for job creation and investment, to discuss application requirements and to review the certification process prior to submission of the application. 

Applications for certification must be consistent with the Zone’s Development Plan, including job creation, investment and cost/benefit ratios and other Plan standards.  The Zone is required to conduct a cost/benefit analysis of each project/application based on the information provided by the applicant business.  

All applications are subject to review by the Zone Administrative Board, Empire State Development, and the New York State Department of Labor.

Businesses whose applications are approved, will receive an Empire Zone Certificate of Eligibility.  A certified business is eligible to apply for Empire Zone tax credits and incentives, subject to specific credit or incentive requirements. 

All Certified Businesses are required to submit a Business Annual Report to the Zone and remain in compliance with applicable NYS statutes and regulations.   

The Application for Joint Certification as an Empire Zone Business and Application  Instructions can be obtained from the zone or at :

                         Application for Joint Certification of an Empire Zone Business Enterprise
                                                       Zone Application
                                                 Zone Application (Instructions)