State Bumps Business From Empire Zone Program ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - New York State is pulling the plug on about 30 Empire Zone certified businesses in Monroe County. The list includes Hickey-Freeman Company, as well as numerous office and industrial parks such as the former Kodak Elmgrove facility and Corporate Woods in Brighton. An official from the state's economic development department says no one is available for an interview with WXXI News.

The companies on the list were notified they were losing their Empire Zone status in a letter dated May 18th. The letter states the companies lost their certification because they were not providing economic returns that exceeded the tax benefits they were receiving - in other words, they failed to match every dollar in state tax breaks with one dollar of payroll or investment. This requirement was enacted as part of the state budget passed in April, in an effort to generate $90-million for the state coffers this year alone.

Companies that received the letter were told they will receive additional information by June 19 telling them how to appeal the decision.

The state sent roughly 70 additional letters to area companies that might be booted from the Empire Zone program if they cannot provide additional details that show they met the new requirements.

Rochester Business Alliance C-E-O Sandra Parker also declined comment. © Copyright 2009, WXXI