The Empire Zone Program

New York State’s Empire Zone Program was created to stimulate economic growth through a variety of state tax incentives designed to attract new businesses to New York State and to enable existing businesses to expand and create more jobs. The Empire Zone program provides very powerful incentives to eligible businesses.

Mission of Clinton County Empire Zone: The mission of the Clinton County Empire Zone (CCEZ) is to give businesses that increase employment access to powerful and substantial New York State tax credits and other financial incentives. Qualified Empire Zone Enterprises (QEZEs) are eligible for sales tax exemptions and real property tax and business tax credits for locating and expanding in an Empire Zone. The CCEZ is primarily focused on transportation-related businesses, plastics manufacturers, pharmaceuticals, warehousing and distribution, high-tech manufacturing and aviation-related businesses.

The Clinton County Empire Zone can be a virtually “tax-free” zone in best-case scenarios, through a combination of New York State Tax Credits, reduced utility rates, investment credits and priority attention from state agencies for new and expanding businesses.

The Clinton County Empire Zone consists of two square miles of designated land in locations throughout Clinton County. The designated areas are viewable by clicking on the map icon.