The Empire Zone program is a state project developed to provide incentives to businesses to create jobs in an area that is experiencing high unemployment rates.  Incentives include tax breaks to businesses in the form of credits, refunds, and exemptions on income, property, and state sales tax.  In addition, Niagara Mohawk, NYSEG, and Citizens Communications offer lower utility rates for expanding Empire Zone businesses.

Right here in Lewis County there are a number of businesses and industries that have taken advantage of what the Empire Zone program has to offer.  The result is that a number of new jobs have been created and existing jobs have been saved.

Since its establishment in 1994, the number of Lewis County Empire Zone certified businesses has grown to 76, with new and existing businesses becoming certified every month.  These businesses represent over 1,275 full-time and full-time-equivalent jobs.  The Empire Zone program helps these businesses stay and expand in Lewis County, protecting those jobs and creating more and more every day.

The Empire Zone in Lewis County is spread among portions of nearly every town and village in the county.   To receive Zone benefits, a business must be located in the Empire Zone, must be certified with New York State (through a local application process), and must create jobs and/or invest in their facility.  For more information on the Empire Zone program or to talk about other economic development programs that benefit local businesses, please call Lewis County Department of Economic Development.