Economic growth and development of new businesses,
the providing of employment opportunities, and the fostering of existing
businesses in Rockland County are important and necessary functions
of government which will promote fiscal stability, a sound regional
economy and economic prosperity for the citizens of Rockland County.
Section 961 of Article 18-B of the General Municipal Law authorizes
the County of Rockland to prepare and submit the County's application
for designation as an Empire Zone, including the proposed boundaries
thereto, to the New York State Commissioner of Economic Development.
Such designation could greatly benefit the County of Rockland 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 businesses would generate new jobs for County residents.
The County Executive of the County of Rockland
is hereby authorized and empowered to submit an application for designation
of certain areas within the County as an Empire Zone; provided, however,
that such authorization and empowerment shall be conditioned upon
the prior concurrence, through properly adopted resolution(s) with
respect to such application of the governing bodies of any and all
towns and villages in which such zone is located.
The boundaries of said areas to be included
in said Empire Zone shall be as set forth in Schedule A, which is
attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Pursuant to requirements of § 963
of the General Municipal Law, the Commissioner of Finance of the County
of Rockland shall serve as the local Empire Zone Certification officer
of the Rockland County Empire Zone, and shall, pursuant to the regulations
promulgated pursuant to Article 18-B of the General Municipal Law,
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 business enterprises that are eligible
to receive those benefits referred to in § 966 of the General
Municipal Law, and any other applicable statutes.
Pursuant to Article 18-B of the General Municipal
Law, a Local Empire Zone Administrative Board is hereby established.
All appointments to the Board shall be made by the County Executive,
subject to the approval of the County Legislature. The members of
said Board shall not include the local Empire Zone Certification Officer,
and shall consist of 11 members, including the County Executive, the
Chair of the Legislature or his/her designee, a representative of
local business, organized labor, financial institution, local educational
institution, community organization, a resident of the Empire Zone,
and three at-large members who are residents of Rockland County. The
Chairperson of the Board shall be the County Executive. The local
Empire Zone Administrative Board shall perform all duties required
of it pursuant to § 963(b) of the General Municipal Law.