Governor Andrew M. Cuomo briefed an audience of 200 on his "Tax-Free NY" initiative May 30 during a visit to SUNYIT. The plan would, in effect, waive state taxes for businesses that create jobs on or near SUNY campuses, and officials say it would be an important boost for SUNYIT's nanotechnology initiative with UAlbany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering.

"The Governor's Tax-Free NY plan is a huge investment in both our SUNY system and our business community," said SUNYIT Provost William W. Durgin. "We here at SUNYIT are proud to be playing such a central role in the growth of the state's economy."

Among those attending the hour-long presentation in the Student Center were NYS Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito, Senator Joseph Griffo, Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi and Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, as well as many community and business leaders from across the area.

The Governor, describing the region's loss of jobs and population as "generational, not episodic," said Tax-Free NY is intended to be a bold step that would address decades of economic decline in Upstate New York.

"Tax-Free NY will put together all the positives of New York, the history, the geography, the diversity, the educated workforce, and combine all we have to offer with a tax-free environment," Cuomo said. "This proposal will make our state more competitive than ever before and supercharge our economic development efforts to rebuild Upstate New York."

More about the event is available at:

News release from the Office of the Governor 

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