By Jeff Lipton
State economic development officials turned down an application by the county to set up Empire Zones in nine key neighborhoods. Besides Inwood, up for the designation, in a package deal, were Bethpage, Elmont, Freeport, Glen Cove, the Village of Hempstead, New Castle, Roosevelt and Uniondale. If the designation had been approved, businesses in these areas would have been given tax breaks and other incentives just for operating there.
The state opted, instead, to approve Empire Zones for six other counties, all of them poorer areas upstate: Orleans, Genesse, Wayne, Madison, Rensselaer and Washington, officials said.
We're disappointed. We hoped for more support from the state, said David Chauvin, a spokesperson for Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi. This in no way will deter us from our goal of empowering Inwood and the surrounding areas.
The Empire Zone designation, community leaders said, would have given Inwood a major shot in the arm. We're disappointed, very disappointed, said Tom Dunham, a spokesperson for State Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), who was pushing the Empire Zone designation for Inwood. This doesn't mean that we will stop trying.
He said it is very likely Inwood will be pushed for the designation in future applications with the state.
Dunham brushed aside notions that rejecting the county was a political move, since Suozzi is a Democrat and Gov. George Pataki is a Republican. I wouldn't say it is political, he said. There are a number of factors for the designation.
Neighborhoods eligible for the designation generally have higher unemployment rates and are in need of economic recovery, and Dunham said the areas chosen probably are more economically deprived.
The criteria also take into account local wealth and property values, he said. To qualify, businesses also must be creating jobs or bringing capital investment into the region.
The zones offer businesses tax breaks and tax credits to remain in the area or expand, and for the purpose of luring new companies to the community. Each zone spans about 2 1/2 square miles, not necessarily contiguous, but parceled up in various areas that fit the criteria, Dunham said.
There are 62 Empire Zones across the state, and the state budget had authorized the creation of approximately 10 more. The decision on which areas receive the designation is made by the Empire State Development Corp.
Suozzi visited the Five Towns last month to announce his comprehensive economic development plan for the county, and in his report he listed Inwood and Elmont as areas in need of assistance through economic incentive programs.
Nassau County Legis. Jeff Toback (D-Oceanside), who represents the Five Towns, said the state's decision was a setback, but Toback would not go so far as to suggest that it would derail Suozzi's plan.
Obviously, it isn't good news, Toback said of the rejection. There are areas in the county, and Inwood is certainly one of them, that can benefit by Nassau being included in the [Empire Zone] program.
Any area can certainly use economic assistance, and Inwood is a place that could use it the most.
Toback also denied that the selection process was political, especially since the state has come to the aid of the county with a significant aid package to help it overcome financial difficulties. There are upstate counties that are in desperate need of a shot in the arm, he said.
A town plan, similar to the county's, is still on the table, and includes Inwood, Elmont, Roosevelt, Uniondale, Franklin Square, West Hempstead, the Village of Hempstead and Freeport.
State officials did not return the Herald's calls for comment.
