Empire State Development (ESD) is New York State’s chief economic development agency. It offers grants, loans, tax credits, and other incentives to encourage businesses to start, expand, or relocate in New York, and it runs a Long Island Regional Office at 150 Motor Parkway in Hauppauge.
ESD programs include the Excelsior Jobs Program, which offers refundable tax credits to companies that create jobs and invest in New York, and capital grants awarded through the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council. Many programs are applied for through the state’s Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). ESD’s Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development also handles state MWBE certification, which can open doors to state contracts.
ESD is a strong fit for growing companies, manufacturers, and businesses planning a significant expansion, new facility, or relocation to Long Island.
Most ESD incentives are competitive and tied to specific job and investment commitments, so they’re rarely a fit for very small or brand-new businesses. The applications involve real paperwork, and ESD recommends talking with regional office staff before you apply.
For Long Island companies planning a major investment, a conversation with ESD’s Hauppauge office early in the process can uncover incentives worth pursuing.