July 2002

Zone Advisory Board Sets Deadline for Next Round of Empire Zone Boundary Amendments

The Cortland County Zone Administrative Board (ZAB) has set a deadline of September 20 to consider amendments to the Cortland County Empire Zone. Businesses located outside of the Empire Zone who are planning a major investment or adding employees should submit an application to the ZAB for inclusion in the Zone for consideration in advance of the September 20 deadline.

There are approximately 11 acres available outside of the City of Cortland which can be allocated by July 2005 for inclusion in Cortland's Empire Zone. Cortland County is allowed to make only one Zone boundary amendment per year. It is approximately a six to nine month process to go through a boundary amendment which requires local and state approvals, so businesses need to plan well in advance of a project to take advantage of potential Zone benefits.

Because there is such limited acreage available outside of the City of Cortland, the ZAB will evaluate applications based on a project's impact on business development and job creation which will enhance economic revitalization and benefit Zone residents. Additional criteria include: existing infrastructure such as water, sewer and roadway; lands and/or buildings immediately available for development; access to public transportation; labor force available in the immediate area; nearby training facilities; and an existing business base capable of expansion.

Priority will be given projects that are slated for a significant business investment of more than $250,000 by July 2005 and a resultant increase in employment.

Businesses in the City of Cortland located contiguous to Census tracts already located in the Zone can also submit an application if they are planning a project that will enhance economic revitalization of the Zone and benefit Zone residents.

Zone boundary revision requests that are favorably considered by the Zone Administrative Board will be submitted to Empire State Development Corporation who has final approval as to eligibility.

A directory of Zone locations is available at the BDC. If a business is not currently in the Zone and wants to be considered for this boundary amendment round, it must make a formal application. Guidelines and application forms are available from Karen Niday, Zone Coordinator, at the Cortland County BDC, 756-5005.

To be eligible for the next year's round, forms must be received in the BDC office no later than September 15.