EDV-12-12-00003-E Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program
3/21/12 N.Y. St. Reg. EDV-12-12-00003-E
NEW YORK STATE REGISTER
VOLUME XXXIV, ISSUE 12
March 21, 2012
RULE MAKING ACTIVITIES
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
EMERGENCY RULE MAKING
I.D No. EDV-12-12-00003-E
Filing No. 205
Filing Date. Mar. 02, 2012
Effective Date. Mar. 02, 2012
Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE State Administrative Procedure Act, NOTICE is hereby given of the following action:
Action taken:
Addition of Parts 200 - 204 to Title 5 NYCRR.
Statutory authority:
Economic Development Law, art. 18
Finding of necessity for emergency rule:
Preservation of general welfare.
Specific reasons underlying the finding of necessity:
Regulatory action is needed immediately to implement the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program ("the Program") which was created by Chapter 61 of the Laws of 2011. The Program is created to support communities affected by the closure of correctional and juvenile justice facilities. The Program will provide tax credits to firms that create jobs and make investments in certain areas designated as economic transformation areas. The Program will leverage private sector job creation and investments and help transform the economies of the communities in these areas and lessen the impact of the facility closures.
New York is in the midst of a national economic slowdown. The impact of the national financial crisis and resulting slowed economic growth was particularly devastating to New York State and could be even more severe for those communities where correctional and juvenile justice facilities will be closed.
The Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program will be a key economic development tool for creating jobs and private sector investment in communities affected by the facility closures. It is imperative that this Program be implemented immediately so that the State can respond quickly to the dislocation and job losses that will likely result from the closure of these facilities.
It bears noting that section 403 of the Economic Development Law directs the Commissioner of Economic Development to promulgate regulations and explicitly indicates that such regulations may be adopted on an emergency basis.
Subject:
Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program.
Purpose:
Allow Dept to implement the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program.
Substance of emergency rule:
The regulation creates new Parts 200-204 in 5 NYCRR as follows:
1) The regulation adds the definitions relevant to the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program (the "Program"). Key definitions include, but are not limited to, certificate of eligibility, preliminary schedule of benefits, net new jobs, new business, economic transformation area, and closed facility.
2) The regulation creates the application and review process for the Program. In order to become a participant in the Program, an applicant must submit a complete application by the later of: (1) the date that is three years after the date of the closure of the closed facility located in the economic transformation area in which the business entity would operate or (2) January 1, 2015. An applicant must also agree to a variety of requirements, including, but not limited to, the following: (a) allowing the exchange of its tax information between Department of Taxation and Finance and Department of Economic Development (the "Department"); (b) allowing the exchange of its tax and employer information between the Department of Labor and the Department; and (c) agreeing to not participate in either the Excelsior Jobs Program, the Empire Zones Program or claim any tax credits under the Brownfield Cleanup Program if admitted into the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program specifically with regard to the facility located in the economic transformation area.
3) Upon receiving a complete application, the Commissioner of the Department shall review the application to ensure it meets eligibility criteria set forth in the statute (see 5 below). If it does not, the application shall not be accepted. If it does meet the eligibility criteria, the Commissioner may admit the applicant into the Program. If admitted into the Program, an applicant will receive a certificate of eligibility. When considering an application, the Commissioner shall consider factors including, but not limited to, the overall cost and effectiveness of the project, and whether the project is consistent with the intent of the Program. If a participant does not start construction on or acquire a qualified investment or create at least one net new job within one year of the issuance of its certificate of eligibility, the participant will not be eligible for any of the Program's tax credits.
4) The regulation sets forth the eligibility criteria for the Program. In order to qualify for the Program, (1) a participant must create and maintain at least five net new jobs in an economic transformation area, and must demonstrate that its benefit-cost ratio is at least ten to one; (2) a participant must be in compliance with all worker protection and environmental laws and regulations; (3) a participant must not owe past due federal or state taxes or local property taxes, unless those taxes are being paid pursuant to an executed payment plan; and (4) the location of the participant's operations for which it seeks tax benefits must be wholly located within the economic transformation area.
5) In addition, a business entity that is primarily operated as a retail business is not eligible to participate in the program if its application is for any facility or business location that will be primarily used in making retail sales to customers who personally visit such facilities. A business entity that is engaged in offering professional services licensed by the state or by the courts of this state is not eligible to participate in the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program. In addition, a business entity that is or will be principally operated as a real estate holding company or landlord for retail businesses or entities offering professional services licensed by the state or by the courts of this state is also not eligible to participate in the Note, however, that that the commissioner may determine that such a business entity described in the preceding three sentences may be eligible to participate in the Program at the site of a closed facility if it is pursuant to an adaptive reuse plan for a substantial portion of such facility, the adaptive reuse plan is consistent with the strategic plan of the Regional Economic Development Council and it has been recommended by the Regional Economic Development Council to the Commissioner.
6) The regulation sets forth the fourteen (14) evaluation standards that the Commissioner can utilize when determining whether to admit an applicant to the Program. These include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) the number of net new jobs to be created in New York State; or (2) the amount of capital investment to be made; or (3) whether the applicant is proposing to substantially renovate and reuse closed facilities; or (4) whether the applicant will use energy-efficient measures, including, but not limited to, the reduction of greenhouse gas and emissions and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system for the project identified in its application; or (5) whether the application has been recommended by the Regional Economic Council representing the region where the project will be located; or (6) the degree to which the project is consistent with the strategic plan and priorities for the region; or (7) the degree of economic distress in the area where the applicant will locate the project identified in its application; or (8) the degree of an applicant's financial viability, strength of financials, readiness and likelihood of completion of the project identified in the application; or (9) the degree to which the project identified in the application supports New York State's minority and women business enterprises; or (10) the degree to which the project identified in the application supports the principles of Smart Growth; or (11) the estimated return on investment that the project identified in the application will provide to the state; or (12) the overall economic impact that the project identified in the application will have on a region, including, but not limited to, the impact of any direct and indirect jobs that will be created; or (13) the degree to which other state or local incentive programs are available to the applicant; or (14) the likelihood that the project identified in the application would be located outside of New York State or would not occur but for the availability of state or local incentives.
7) The regulation states that the Commissioner shall prepare a program report on a quarterly basis for posting on the Department's website.
8) The regulation calls for removal of a participant in the Program for failing to meet the application requirements or eligibility criteria of the statute. Upon removal, a participant will be notified in writing and have the right to appeal such removal.
9) The regulation lays out the appeal process for participants who have been removed from the Program. A participant will have thirty (30) days to appeal to the Department. An appeal officer will be appointed and shall evaluate the merits of the appeal and any response from the Department. The appeal officer will determine whether a hearing is necessary and the level of formality required. The appeal officer will prepare a report and make recommendations to the Commissioner. The Commissioner will then issue a final decision in the case.
The full text of the emergency rule is available at the Department's website at http://esd.ny.gov/BusinessPrograms/Economic Transformation.html.
This notice is intended
to serve only as an emergency adoption, to be valid for 90 days or less. This rule expires May 30, 2012.
Text of rule and any required statements and analyses may be obtained from:
Thomas P Regan, NYS Department of Economic Development, 30 South Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12245, (518) 292-5123, email: tregan@empire.state.ny.us
Regulatory Impact Statement
STATUTORY AUTHORITY:
Chapter 61 of the Laws of 2011 established Article 18 of the Economic Development Law, creating the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program and authorizing the Commissioner of Economic Development to adopt, on an emergency basis, rules and regulations governing the Program.
LEGISLATIVE OBJECTIVES:
The emergency rulemaking accords with the public policy objectives the Legislature sought to advance because they directly address the legislative findings and declarations that New York State needs, as a matter of public policy, to create competitive financial incentives for businesses to create jobs and invest in the redevelopment of closed facilities and the economic transformation of surrounding communities. The Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program is created to support communities affected by closure of correctional and juvenile justice facilities. The Program will provide tax credits to firms that create jobs and make investments in certain areas designated as economic transformation areas. The Program will leverage private sector job creation and investments and help transform the economies of the communities in these areas and lessen the impact of the facility closures. The emergency rule is specifically authorized by the Legislature.
NEEDS AND BENEFITS:
The emergency rule is required in order to immediately implement the statute contained in Article 18 of the Economic Development Law, creating the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program. The statute directed the Commissioner of Economic Development to adopt regulations with respect to an application process and eligibility criteria and authorized the adoption of such regulations on an emergency basis notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in the state administrative procedures act. New York is in the midst of a national economic slowdown. The impact of the national financial crisis and resulting slowed economic growth was particularly devastating to New York State and could be even more severe for those communities where correctional and juvenile justice facilities will be closed.
The Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program will be one of the State's key economic development tools for creating jobs and private sector investment in communities affected by the facility closures. It is imperative that this Program be implemented immediately so that the State can respond quickly to the dislocation and job losses that will likely result from closure of these facilities.
This rule will establish the process and procedures for launching this new Program in the most efficient and cost-effective manner while protecting all New York State taxpayers with rules to ensure accountability, performance and adherence to commitments by businesses choosing to participate in the Program.
COSTS:
A. Costs to private regulated parties: None. There are no regulated parties in the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program, only voluntary participants.
B. Costs to the agency, the State, and local governments: The Department of Economic Development does not anticipate any significant costs with respect to implementation of this program. There is no additional cost to local governments.
C. Costs to the State government: None. There will be no additional costs to New York State as a result of the emergency rule making.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANDATES:
None. There are no mandates on local governments with respect to the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program. This emergency rule does not impose any costs to local governments for administration of the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program.
PAPERWORK:
The emergency rule requires businesses choosing to participate in the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program to establish and maintain complete and accurate books relating to their participation in the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program for a period of three years beyond their participation in the Program. However, this requirement does not impose significant additional paperwork burdens on businesses choosing to participate in the Program but instead simply requires that information currently established and maintained be shared with the Department in order to verify that the business has met its job creation and investment commitments.
DUPLICATION:
The emergency rule does not duplicate any state or federal statutes or regulations.
ALTERNATIVES:
No alternatives were considered with regard to amending the regulations in response to statutory revisions.
FEDERAL STANDARDS:
There are no federal standards in regard to the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program. Therefore, the emergency rule does not exceed any Federal standard.
COMPLIANCE SCHEDULE:
The period of time the state needs to assure compliance is negligible, and the Department of Economic Development expects to be compliant immediately.
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
1. Effect of rule
The emergency rule imposes record-keeping requirements on all businesses (small, medium and large) that choose to participate in the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program. The emergency rule requires all businesses that participate in the Program to establish and maintain complete and accurate books relating to their participation in the Program for the duration of their term in the Program plus three additional years. Local governments are unaffected by this rule.
2. Compliance requirements
Each business choosing to participate in the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program must establish and maintain complete and accurate books, records, documents, accounts, and other evidence relating to such business's application for entry into the program and relating to annual reporting requirements. Local governments are unaffected by this rule.
3. Professional services
The information that businesses choosing to participate in the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program would be required to keep is information such businesses already must establish and maintain in order to operate, i.e. wage reporting, financial records, tax information, etc. No additional professional services would be needed by businesses in order to establish and maintain the required records. Local governments are unaffected by this rule.
4. Compliance costs
Businesses (small, medium or large) that choose to participate in the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program must create new jobs and/or make capital investments in order to receive any tax incentives under the Program. If businesses choosing to participate in the Program do not fulfill their job creation or investment commitments, such businesses would not receive the tax incentives. There are no other initial capital costs that would be incurred by businesses choosing to participate in the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program. Annual compliance costs are estimated to be negligible for businesses because the information they must provide to demonstrate their compliance with their commitments is information that is already established and maintained as part of their normal operations. Local governments are unaffected by this rule.
5. Economic and technological feasibility
The Department of Economic Development ("DED") estimates that complying with this record-keeping is both economically and technologically feasible. Local governments are unaffected by this rule.
6. Minimizing adverse impact
DED finds no adverse economic impact on small or large businesses with respect to this rule. Local governments are unaffected by this rule.
7. Small business and local government participation
DED is in compliance with SAPA Section 202-b(6), which ensures that small businesses and local governments have an opportunity to participate in the rule-making process. DED has conducted outreach within the small and large business communities and maintains continuous contact with small and large businesses with regard to their participation in this program. Local governments are unaffected by this rule.
Rural Area Flexibility Analysis
The Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program is a tax credit program available to new businesses that locate in communities affected by the closure of correctional and juvenile justice facilities, create jobs and make private sector investments. Economic transformation areas will be designated through implementation of these regulations. New businesses to these areas that create jobs and make investments are eligible to apply to participate in the Program entirely at their discretion. Municipalities are not eligible to participate in the Program. The emergency rule does not impose any special reporting, recordkeeping or other compliance requirements on private entities in rural areas. Therefore, the emergency rule will not have a substantial adverse economic impact on rural areas nor on the reporting, recordkeeping or other compliance requirements on public or private entities in such rural areas. Accordingly, a rural area flexibility analysis is not required and one has not been prepared.
Job Impact Statement
The emergency rule relates to the Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program. The Economic Transformation and Facility Redevelopment Program will enable New York State to provide financial incentives to businesses that create jobs and make investments in communities affected by the closure of correctional and juvenile justice facilities. This Program, given its design and purpose, will have a substantial positive impact on job creation and employment opportunities. The emergency rule will immediately enable the Department to fulfill its mission of job creation and investment in certain areas designated as economic transformation areas. Because this emergency rule will authorize the Department to immediately begin offering financial incentives to firms that commit to creating new jobs and/or to making significant capital investment in these areas, it will have a positive impact on job and employment opportunities. Accordingly, a job impact statement is not required and one has not been prepared.
