Genesee and Orleans Counties recently were the recipients of their first Empire Zones. Taken together, the two designations meant more than 2,300 jobs created or retained, and $93 million in new investment for the region.

Some counties do not share in that prosperity. Eleven of New York's sixty-two counties are currently without an Empire Zone. These counties are at a competitive disadvantage to those which can offer the tax cut and job creation incentives the designation provides. Earlier this year, Assemblyman Charles Nesbitt (139th Assembly District), proposed legislation as part of his NY First plan to remedy that situation by placing an Empire Zone in every county.

Another NY First proposal would expand the Empire Zone program by making it available to farmers. In many cases, farms do not employ enough workers to qualify under the current guidelines. Agricultural Empire Zones would set separate standards for farmers, allowing them to take advantage of these benefits.

This legislation was not considered by the Assembly in the recently concluded legislative session, but it will again be proposed next year.