Business Owner's Manual

Location Incentive Programs

There are a number of government programs offering various tax credits, utility savings, and other economic benefits and services to businesses locating, relocating, or expanding in certain areas of the City. Benefits may be available to businesses that are:

• At least two years old and relocating from Manhattan south of 96th Street, or from out of state, to any other location in the City.
  
  
• Locating or expanding within "Economic Development Zones" — East New York, Port Morris, South Jamaica, East Harlem, North Shore/Staten Island, Rockaway, and Sunset Park/Red Hook.
  
  
• Relocating to designated low-income census tracts and creating full-time jobs.
  
  
• Located in the "New York City Empowerment Zone" — Harlem, portions of Washington Heights, and the South Bronx — and employ a specified percentage of Zone residents.
  
  
• Modernizing, rehabilitating, or otherwise improving industrial or commercial buildings in any area of the City except Manhattan south of 59th Street.
  
  
• Locating in new office and retail spaces in designated zones — primarily lower Manhattan.

The City's Economic Development Corporation site has details on government incentive programs. You can also find specific programs using the Services Directory (look under "Locating and Expanding" or "Energy and Technical Assistance").