es, there is always the Big Apple, still shining despite the deep bruise inflicted last September. However, company location activity is not only enduring in New York City, but bearing fruit in the other cities and towns across the Empire State.
        Syracuse, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo ... these vibrant cities, as well as smaller brethren like Cortland, Utica, and Schenectady, have found great opportunities to connect with global corporations attracted by a vastly improved state tax and incentive package and the prospect of being both at the brink of all the action and in places that offer outstanding quality of life amenities.
        "Since September 11 we have had many companies that are looking at secondary markets as a way to be less visible," says Brad Cohen, principal of Cohen Asset Management, a private real estate investment firm which owns Rochester Technology Park (RTP). "If they can get the work force and the facilities are available, they will move."
        Cohen purchased the 5-million-sq.-ft. (464,500-sq.-m.) Elmgrove campus from Kodak in 2000, and has succeeded in attracting a diverse menu of tenants. Now known as much for the presence of German digital printing concern Heidelberg Digital (an $80-million, 1-million-sq.-ft./93,000-sq.-m headquarters) and Lightwave Enterprises as for Eastman Kodak, the development contains clusters of photonics, biotech, telecom and advanced manufacturing firms, and soon will even feature a stadium for a professional soccer team.
        One amenity helping this city of 350,000 (with a total area population of 1 million) is its technological base. Among the nation's top 60 "cybercities," Site Selection (March 2002) found that Dutchess, Nassau and Suffolk Counties, as well as the cities of New York and Rochester, were best equipped to deal with the high-tech sector. Rochester was also recently designated as an Empire Zone, a particularly attractive new moniker that can mean big savings for companies choosing to locate in any of the state's 62 such areas. It allows corporate tenants at RTP and elsewhere to operate essentially tax-free.

Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of Empire State Development.

        The benefits include a credit for property tax, sales tax exemption and an exemption for business taxes. Utility rate reductions are part of the Empire Zone package too, and Cohen sees energy as an important component, especially in a state known for high utility expenditures.
        "Cogeneration of electricity is one way to ensure that the long term interests of RTP will include a high quality power supply and cost-effective energy services," he says.
        In addition to inquiries from surrounding states, Cohen says, the recent downturn has seen a number of inquiries from California, as well as countries that he and leasing and sales partner Binswanger/CBB have targeted: Germany and Ireland. State officials have seen European inquiries rise too, especially from Germany.
        Inquiries to other Empire Zones are mounting as well, as New York Governor George Pataki works to define their boundaries in order to maximize their potential. One such revision recently occurred in the state capital of Albany, where it is estimated that the change will help retain around 238 jobs, as well as support the plans of eight companies within the zone to invest over $30 million in expansion and development.
        "By replacing non-developable land with land that is far more suitable for development, we are laying the foundation for investment, job creation and economic growth for Albany County," says Gargano.

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