ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

NEW YORK STATE BUSINESS RESOURCES

Empire State Development
The mission of Empire State Development (“ESD”) is to promote a vigorous and growing state economy, encourage business investment and job creation, and support diverse, prosperous local economies across New York State through the efficient use of loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, marketing and other forms of assistance.
Below are a few divisions and programs that might be of interest to business owners. For information about NYS incentives and funding programs, visit our Grants and Incentives page.

Division of Minority and Women's Business Development

New York State is home to the highest minority and women-owned business (MWBE) utilization rate in the country. For more information on becoming a NYS Certified MWBE, visit https://esd.ny.gov/doing-business-ny/mwbe.

LEARN MORE

Division of Service-Disabled Veterans' Business Development

Article 3 of the Veterans’ Services Law allows eligible Veteran business owners to get certified as a New York State Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB). The New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Division of Service-Disabled Veterans' Business Development is responsible for certifying eligible SDVOBs and assisting and promoting their participation in the state's procurement activities.

LEARN MORE

Office of Strategic Workforce Development

The Office of Strategic Workforce Development (OSWD) is charged with better aligning workforce development efforts with the needs and priorities of today's employers.

LEARN MORE

New York State Small Business Credit Initiative

The NYS Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is a program through the American Rescue Plan Act that provides funds to support programs for small businesses, including socially and economically disadvantaged individual owned businesses, to help recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

LEARN MORE