About the Watertown Empire Zone

Empire Zone

Watertown Zone. Maps of the parcels included in the Watertown Empire Zone.   Printable Version - Adobe PDF GIS Version - map & instructions Workshop Presentation The Program. The New York State Economic Development Zones Act (“EDZ Program”) was originally enacted in 1986 with substantial modifications implemented in 1993. Through the enactment of this program, New York State targeted areas designated as “Economic Development Zones’ which were characterized by persistent and pervasive poverty, high unemployment, limited new Job creation, dependence on public assistance income, dilapidated and abandoned Industrial and commercial facilities, and shrinking tax bases. New Legislation. The passage of the 2000 State budget brought with it a renamed and enhanced Economic Development Zones Program. The new name is the Empire Zones Program, and Zone Certified Businesses are now Qualified Empire Zone Enterprises, or “QEZEs”.  During the 2005 budget process new  changes were made on how benefits are calculated.

Program Goals. The stated goals of the Empire Zones Program remain the same; (i) to stimulate the creation of new jobs and Investment in the State’s most economically distressed communities by offering a variety of state and local tax credits to businesses locating and expanding within one of the economic development zones, and (ii) to assist a targeted population to be ready and able to take advantage of the new jobs created by addressing their specific human resource development needs.