Regionally Significant Projects

To be eligible for certification, a business must be located within empire zone boundaries which are limited to two square miles, or qualify as a regionally significant project. Businesses that qualify as a regionally significant project and are sponsored by a local zone community in a manner consistent with the local zone development plan can be located anywhere in the State outside of zone boundaries and still participate in the program. Below are the minimum statewide criteria that define regionally significant projects. Consult the local zone coordinator nearest to your business to discuss your location, eligibility and the process necessary to qualify as a regionally significant project.

1. Manufacturers creating 50 or more net new jobs to NYS.

A manufacturer is defined as a taxpayer which during the taxable year is principally engaged in the production of goods by manufacturing, processing, assembling, refining, mining, extracting, farming, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, viticulture, or commercial fishing or a business engaged in emerging technologies pursuant to section 3102-e of the Public Authorities law.

2. Agri-business, high tech or biotech business making a minimum capital investment of $10 million and creating twenty or more jobs.

3. Financial or insurance services or distribution center creating 300 or more jobs.