Natural Resources - Southern Tier Empire Zones of Western New York

Financially Attractive

Under the New York State Empire Zone Act, the Southern Tier Empire Zones offer potential new businesses and expanding businesses financial incentives and tax credits including:

Investment Tax Credits
Employee Incentive Credits
Wage Tax Credits
Zone Capital Tax Credits
New York State and Local Sales Tax Refunds
Real Property Tax Abatement Programs
Utility Rate Reductions
Job Training Grants

The Zones' professional economic development team uses these tools to give your business a strong base for growth. We also offer a variety of financing options, including IDA tax-exempt or taxable bonds, loans and grants from Empire State Development Corporation, and low interest loans from the new Statewide Zone Capital Corporation.

Naturally Resourceful

Historically known for the timber quality of its forests, the Southern Tier is abundant with natural resources - rich soil for agriculture and dairy farming, moderate weather conditions for growing grapes and other commodities, fresh water from many lakes and rivers, as well as underground wells and aquifers.

Attracted by the natural resources, immigrant craftsmen came to seek their fortune in the new country. From woodworkers to metal workers, farmers and horticulturalists to industrious entrepreneurs, the region was founded on a strong work ethic that continues today. Basic and advanced skills training resources, funded by government and private agencies, supplement the strong work force in the Southern Tier.

Resources include Jamestown Community College, State University of New York College at Fredonia, St. Bonaventure University, Alfred University, Alfred State College of Technology, Houghton college, Empire State College, Jamestown Business College, Olean Business Institute, the Private Industry Council, the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, and a number of other educational and vocational institutions.



POPULATION BY COUNTY Allegany - 50,000 Cattaraugus - 84,000 Chautauqua - 142,000 LOCATION 70 miles southwest of Buffalo 150-175 miles to Rochester, Toronto, Hamilton, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland 250 miles to Albany 350 miles to NYC, Detroit, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia 500 miles to Chicago, Louisville, Cincinnati, Boston EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY Agriculture ... 15.7% Manufacturing ... 23.4% Services ... 27.6% Wholesale/Retail Trade ... 23.6% Government/Other ... 22.8% Transportation/Utilities ... 04.7% Finance, Ins., Real Estate ... 02.4% Construction ... 02.6% Mining ... 00.4%		Financially Attractive Under the New York State Empire Zone Act, the Southern Tier Empire Zones offer potential new businesses and expanding businesses financial incentives and tax credits including: Investment Tax Credits Employee Incentive Credits Wage Tax Credits Zone Capital Tax Credits New York State and Local Sales Tax Refunds Real Property Tax Abatement Programs Utility Rate Reductions Job Training Grants The Zones' professional economic development team uses these tools to give your business a strong base for growth. We also offer a variety of financing options, including IDA tax-exempt or taxable bonds, loans and grants from Empire State Development Corporation, and low interest loans from the new Statewide Zone Capital Corporation. Naturally Resourceful Historically known for the timber quality of its forests, the Southern Tier is abundant with natural resources - rich soil for agriculture and dairy farming, moderate weather conditions for growing grapes and other commodities, fresh water from many lakes and rivers, as well as underground wells and aquifers. Attracted by the natural resources, immigrant craftsmen came to seek their fortune in the new country. From woodworkers to metal workers, farmers and horticulturalists to industrious entrepreneurs, the region was founded on a strong work ethic that continues today. Basic and advanced skills training resources, funded by government and private agencies, supplement the strong work force in the Southern Tier. Resources include Jamestown Community College, State University of New York College at Fredonia, St. Bonaventure University, Alfred University, Alfred State College of Technology, Houghton college, Empire State College, Jamestown Business College, Olean Business Institute, the Private Industry Council, the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, and a number of other educational and vocational institutions.