Cognizant of the existence within this state of certain areas 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 a shrinking tax base, the State Legislature has enacted a law known as the "New York State Economic Development Zones Act." The purpose of the Act is to allow government to target for these areas extraordinary economic and human resource development programs in order to stimulate private investment, private business development and job creation. Under the Act, special incentives and assistance are available that will promote the development of new businesses, the expansion of existing businesses and the development of human resources within areas that are designated by the New York State Commissioner of Economic Development as an Economic Development Zone.

This chapter is required to permit the Town of Brookhaven to prepare and submit to the Commissioner of Economic Development an application for designation of a portion of the Town of Brookhaven as an Economic Development Zone. It is the intent of this chapter to provide the incentive necessary to attract private business and industry to the proposed Economic Development Zone, as further described hereinbelow, and to maintain the connection between such growth and the human resources base of the community within said Zone.

The Empire Zone for the Town of Brookhaven shall be reconfigured and consist of the following now or formerly known as Suffolk County Tax Map Parcels and shall be known as an investment Zone.

Eligible regionally significant projects shall consist of the following areas(s):

The Economic Development Zone Administrative Board shall be comprised of 10 members, the Supervisor or Deputy Supervisor of the Town of Brookhaven, who shall also serve as Chairman, one member of the Town Board of the Town of Brookhaven, the Town Commissioner of Community Development, a representative of a local trade union, a representative of the South Country School District, a representative from a local business, a representative of a local financial institution, two representatives of local Town of Brookhaven/North Bellport Community Organizations, and a resident of the Economic Development Zone.

The Economic Development Administrative Board shall exercise all powers provided in the New York State Economic Development Zones Act.