Changed Empire Zone expansion in G 146 land





GUILDERLAND — The town can now increase its tax base with industry while avoiding re-zoning and citizen protests.

The office of Albany County Executive Michael Breslin announced state approval on Monday for an Empire Zone expansion to Railroad Avenue — an aptly named road that runs through the towns of Colonie and Guilderland, and the city of Albany.

This newest expansion brings the county’s total to nearly four square miles of the state’s business incentive program.

An Empire Zone expansion into Guilderland’s Railroad Avenue could or could not have positive economic impacts for the town, but either way, the potential benefit is there, said Donald Csaposs, director of economic development for the town.
"There’s a significant potential for a significant benefit to the town," said Csaposs. "This is something that’s been important to me since we started the comprehensive plan over seven years ago"There are only a few parcels zoned for this in town. Here’s one and it’s underutilized"I see it as all ups."

An Empire Zone is a benefits program that creates financial incentives for designated areas around the state for businesses. The benefits come from the state, county, and local levels in the form of reduced property taxes and waived sale taxes and business fees.
"This is absolutely consistent with the town’s comprehensive plan. I don’t readily advocate policies that are not consistent. The town invested an awful lot of money, time, and effort into that document," said Csaposs. "I think it’s the responsibility of those who are active in town policy to keep true to this comprehensive plan."

Previously, the only Empire Zone designations in town were all in the Northeastern Industrial Park, the site of a former Army depot in Guilderland Center.

Recycling

A train track once ran along the street, but with the cessation of the railroads, many of the businesses there languished.
The area now could be an asset to the "upscale developments" of the Fuller Road area like the NanoTech buildings and the Harriman Campus, who, said Csaposs, will need businesses like garages, maintenance depots, and warehoused goods.
Csaposs called Fuller Road a "focal point" for this type of development.
"Those places are going to need support services. This stuff won’t be as jazzy; it won’t be as sexy. But, what you have now are old derelict businesses," Csaposs said. "Why not recycle the whole damn area" I’m kind of a tub thumper on the issue," continued Csaposs, referring to the Railroad Avenue businesses. "I see it as recycling.
"I go through there all the time, and I got thinking about it"All the businesses are zoned industrial and some of the buildings are dilapidated or unmaintained," said Csaposs. "You’re not going to disturb anybody."

The county has removed some parcels of land adjoining the Northeastern Industrial Park from the Empire Zone, which Csaposs says were mostly undevelopable for industry. New parcels were then added along Railroad Avenue. The swap in parcel designation was not acre-for-acre though, added Csaposs.

Csaposs says this will give these businesses a place in Guilderland besides the industrial park, and it won’t affect local residents, keeping hassles to a minimum.

Business draw

This will be a big business draw, he said.
"‘Hey, mister businessman. We’d be happy to see you locate in the town of Guilderland,’" intoned Csaposs. "‘Instead of trying to get a piece of greenspace re-zoned and fighting with the neighbors, put your business here.’"

Continuing, Csaposs explained that the type of businesses likely to locate in an industrial sector are not the typical businesses found in the Chamber of Commerce, so the incentives of an Empire Zone will help get their attention.
"They cater more to service and retail businesses," Csaposs told The Enterprise. "You’re not going to see a Chamber mixer on the warehouse floor of a widget maker."

New businesses or newly expanded businesses along Railroad Avenue will add to the town’s tax base as old warehouses are renovated, which increases the property’s value, then eventually increasing the taxes paid on the property.

The tax money is divided among different municipalities along the avenue, however.
"Railroad Avenue is kind of a funny road. The Guilderland and Colonie line literally goes through one building," Csaposs said about a produce warehouse located there. The taxes for that property are paid to both towns, he said, but then he joked that Guilderland’s half is mostly a parking lot.

Benefits

Empire Zone benefits are not simple calculations and not easy to qualify for.
"The levels of benefit may vary on a wide range of variables. It’s a very complicated system," said Csaposs. "If you can meet all of those requirements, there are some tremendous benefits.

The types of businesses that will receive the most benefits are ones that are either new to the area or newly expanding and creating new jobs in the light-industrial category, said Csaposs, but the really important factors are the number of jobs created and the type of business.

Citing one example of potential benefits, Csaposs said qualifying businesses could have state and county sales tax waived on all building materials used during construction in the designated Empire Zone.

Csaposs was instrumental in working with the town and county to help bring the new Empire Zone designation to the area.
"I attended several meetings and spoke in favor of the change with the support of the town’s supervisor," Csaposs said. "At some point in time, you’re pushing a rock up a hill and you reach the crest and you’re over. Then Mike Breslin steps in and makes things a whole lot easier," Csaposs said. "He got us over that hill."

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