Press Release Archives #038-01 - MAYOR GIULIANI SIGNS BILL AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO REQUEST THAT THE STATE CREATE A WEST SHORE EMPIRE ZONE ON STATEN ISLAND

Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Friday, February 2, 2001

Release # 038-01

Contact: Sunny Mindel / Michael Anton (212) 788-2958

MAYOR GIULIANI SIGNS BILL AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO REQUEST THAT THE STATE CREATE A WEST SHORE EMPIRE ZONE ON STATEN ISLAND

Remarks by Mayor Giuliani at Public Hearing on Local Laws

The next bill before me today is Introductory Number 873, sponsored at my request by Council Members O'Donovan and Fiala. This legislation will permit the City to submit an application to the State Department of Economic Development requesting the creation of the West Shore Empire Zone on Staten Island.

The Empire Zone Program is a State administered economic development initiative designed to stimulate private investment, business development, and job creation in specially designated areas through a variety of tax and other financial incentives. There are currently nine Empire Zones in New York City. This legislation will authorize the City to ask the State to create a new Empire Zone on Staten Island, to be known as the West Shore Empire Zone.

The West Shore Empire Zone would include 700 contiguous acres in four distinct areas of Staten Island. Much of the proposed zone's land is vacant and designated for manufacturing. The incentives provided by the Empire Zone Program would spur growth and economic development in these areas, bringing investments and jobs that would breath new life into many of Staten Island's manufacturing districts.

I urge the State to approve our application so that Staten Islanders and all New Yorkers can reap the economic benefits of the West Shore Empire Zone.

For the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.

www.nyc.gov