Empire State Development (ESD) is New York State’s primary agent for economic development, dedicated to making New York the most compelling place in which to live, work and do business.
 
Our organization, with co-headquarters in Albany, Buffalo and New York City, is supported by a network of additional ESD Locations throughout the state and around the world.
 
ESD works in partnership with the public and private sectors to create an environment that spurs innovation and economic development while enhancing New York State’s competitive advantage as the world capital for many industries, ranging from finance and media to technology and agriculture.
 
Our services include:

• Conducting targeted corporate outreach to companies in key industry clusters while providing retention, expansion and attraction services to the State’s largest and most important employers.
• Providing hands-on technical assistance to help businesses, big and small, meet their goals. 
• Helping companies identify the financial assistance that will most benefit their business.  This includes direct loans, loan guarantees and grants that can help companies reduce the costs of undertaking a job creation or retention project in the State.

Our International Division provides export counseling and education to improve insight and expertise about global market opportunities to New York State manufacturers and services firms seeking to start export activity.
 
With small businesses comprising 98 percent of all businesses in New York, our Division for Small Business works to address the challenges that small businesses face, helping them to navigate State programs and find the assistance they need to ensure future growth and success. In addition, our Division of Minority- and Women-Owned Business promotes the equality of economic opportunities for minority and women business enterprises (MWBEs), eliminating barriers to their participation in state contracts.
 
We market New York, not only as a great place to do business, but as the perfect vacation destination. Our Division of Marketing, Advertising and Tourism, home to the world-famous I LOVE NEW YORK brand campaigns, produces creative marketing strategies and programs that promote New York State as the ideal get-a-way spot. The Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development, markets the State to the film industry, providing production and business support for projects and companies while serving as a liaison between the industry, State agencies and regional governments.
 
For more information, contact us at 1 800-STATE-NY.

Return to About Us - Main.