Section 961 of Article 18-B of the General Municipal Law has
authorized applications by towns for designation as an "Empire Zone."
Such designation could greatly benefit the town of Hempstead, in that
new businesses would be encouraged to locate in the Zone area, existing
businesses would be encouraged to expand in the Zone area, and new
and expanded business would generate new jobs for Town residents.
This chapter establishes the legal framework for the Town of Hempstead
to take advantage of the aforesaid law.
The Town of Hempstead is hereby authorized and empowered to
submit an application to the Commissioner of Economic Development
of the State of New York for designation of certain areas within the
Town as an Empire Zone; provided, however, that such authorization
and empowerment shall be conditioned upon the prior concurrence with
respect to such application of the governing bodies of any and all
cities, towns and villages in which such zone is located.
Pursuant to Article 18-B of the General Municipal Law, a local
Empire Zone Administrative Board is hereby established to consist
of not less than six members. All appointments to the Board shall
be made by the Town Supervisor subject to approval of the Town Board.
The members shall not include the local Empire Zone Certification
Officer, and shall include a representative of local business, organized
labor, financial institutions, local educational institutions, community
organizations, and at least one resident of the Empire Zone. The Chairperson
of the Board shall be an officer or employee of the Town of Hempstead.
The local Empire Zone Administrative Board shall perform all duties
required of it pursuant to § 963(b) of the General Municipal
Law.
Pursuant to requirements of § 963 of the General Municipal
Law, the Town Attorney shall serve as the local Empire Zone Certification
Officer of the Town of Hempstead Empire Zone, and shall perform the
following duty, to wit, certify, jointly with the New York State Commissioner
of Economic Development and the New York State Commissioner of Labor,
those businesses and enterprises that are eligible to receive benefits
referred to in § 966 of the General Municipal Law, and any
other applicable statutes.