The Onondaga County Office of Economic Development drives opportunity and economic growth. We’re committed to assisting businesses in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:
- Obtaining project approvals at the Local, County, and State level.
- Addressing site development needs.
- Coordinating with local developers to ensure a seamless site selection process.
- Working with educational partners to meet employer’s workforce needs.
Economic Development in Onondaga County: A Collaborative Approach Focused on Progress with Amazon
helpful Links
Financing
Central New York Regional Planning Board
The CNYRPDB serves the five-county Central New York region. The Regional Planning Board provides a comprehensive range of planning services associated with the growth and development of Central New York. The Board assists with the planning and development of municipal business parks as well as the public infrastructure necessary to spur business investment in Central New York. The Board manages several small business loan programs for projects contributing to the economic prosperity of the CNY region.
Empire State Development (ESD)
ESD’s CNY regional economic development office, located in Syracuse, offers a wide variety of financial incentives to qualified business attraction and retention projects that create wealth within New York State. The CNY office provides strategic and logistical support to the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council.
The Excelsior Jobs Program encourages businesses to expand in and relocate to New York while maintaining strict accountability standards to guarantee that businesses deliver on job and investment commitments. Firms in the Excelsior Jobs Program may qualify for five fully refundable tax credits. Businesses claim the credits over a benefit period of up to 10 years as established in the preliminary schedule of benefits.
Small Business Administration
Every year, the U.S. Small Business Administration and its nationwide network of resource partners help millions of potential and existing small business owners start, grow and succeed. Whether your target market is global or just your neighborhood, the Syracuse SBA District Office and its resource partners can help at every stage of turning your entrepreneurial dream into a thriving business.
Greater Syracuse Business Development Center (GSBDC)
The GSBDC is a certified business development corporation, offering a variety of financing packages for small to medium-sized businesses located in Central New York. Its financing instruments assist with the acquisition of real estate, equipment and machinery; lease-hold improvements; working capital; new-to-market business and downtown investment.
Syracuse Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO)
SEDCO is a public authority that acts as the City’s revolving loan fund. SEDCO provides low interest, fixed asset loans for the acquisition of land, buildings, or rehabilitation of real property, or equipment. SEDCO also provides low interest (3% to 5%) financing up to $125,000 for small business expansion, startup, or relocation within city limits — loans are used for purchasing property, renovation, furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
Business Assistance
Central New York Technology Development Organization (CNYTDO)
The CNYTDO works directly with technology and manufacturing companies to develop successful business strategies, implement state-of-the-art technologies, assist in the transfer of university-developed technologies, and smooth the transition from start-up to mature organization. The TDO is the NIST Manufacturing Extension Agent, the NYS Regional Technology Development Center and the federal SBIR program expert for Central New York.
CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity (CenterState CEO)
CenterState CEO is a non-profit regional growth organization serving individuals, businesses, and communities across twelve counties in the heart of New York State. It identifies key issues of importance to its members, communicates business priorities to community leaders; pursues strategic investments; and responds to meaningful opportunities for the benefit of the region.
City of Syracuse
The City’s Business Development staff assists in the attraction, relocation, expansion, and improvement of business enterprises within the City of Syracuse. The City offers pre-development assistance to businesses interested in investing in Syracuse. It also offers a number of grant, loan, tax management and other development services through its Industrial Development Agency and local development corporations.
New York State Small Business Development Center at OCC (SBDC)
The SBDC at OCC offers a variety of cost-free assistance to small businesses located in Onondaga County. Offerings include business plan preparation; cost analysis; marketing; financial management; training; and the sale or expansion of an existing business. The Center also offers businesses market research through the SBDC Research Network.
WISE
The WISE Women’s Business Center was established in 2006, funded by a grant through the U.S. Small Business Administration and is hosted by the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. The Center is one of 100 women’s business center across the nation providing comprehensive business training and counseling.
Utility and Energy resources
National Grid
National Grid is the shareholder-owned utility for most of Upstate New York. It offers a full range of economic development services to expedite the site selection process including confidential site selection assistance, economic and demographic research, introductions to local vendor networks, and financial assistance to improve utility infrastructure associated with a new capital investment. For more information about its economic development programs, visit ShovelReady.com and nationalgridus.com.
NYS Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA)
NYSERDA’s goals are to reduce energy consumption, promote the use of renewable energy sources and protect the environment. It strives to achieve these goals by supporting the development of clean energy sources, the commercialization of new technology, and the use of energy efficient products and systems by new and existing construction projects. NYSERDA program benefits are funded by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) to NYS utility customers.
New York Power Authority: ReCharge New York
Long-Term, Low-Cost Power to Grow Jobs. ReCharge New York (RNY) is a statewide economic development power program administered by the New York Power Authority (NYPA). The program provides power allocations to eligible applicants. RNY consists of equal parts low-cost hydropower and electricity purchased on the open market, and totals 910 megawatts. With contracts up to seven years, RNY provides a long-term, low cost solution for businesses and not-for-profits to stay and grow in New York State. Project Overview. Program Detail. Program Contact.