Buffalo's Empire Zones: A Failure

New York's most potent economic development program appears to be a failure, according to this four-part series in the Buffalo News.

1 minute read

June 13, 2003, 10:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"New York State created its enterprise zone program in 1986 and has made several major revisions since. It called them Empire Zones. There are now 72 zones scattered around the state, and virtually any city of even modest size has one, including Lackawanna and Niagara Falls, as well as a growing number of suburban areas, including the Town of Tonawanda... New York's most potent economic development program was designed to rejuvenate distressed areas. Empire Zones have instead enabled law firms, fast-food restaurants and corporations to cash in on big tax breaks."

Thanks to Campaign for Sensible Growth

FULL STORY: Failed Empire

Thursday, June 12, 2003 in The Buffalo News

Community / Economic Development New York

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