State seeks nominations for new federal anti-poverty program

The state is seeking recommendations from the public on which low-income neighborhoods could benefit from an anti-poverty program established by the recent federal tax overhaul.

Empire State Development, the state’s primary business-aid agency, is soliciting these suggestions for the federal Opportunity Zone community development program.

The program aims to increase private investment in poor areas by awarding tax breaks to businesses and investors.

ESD “is encouraging people to submit comments as soon as possible and preferably before or by the end of March,” agency spokesman Jason Conwall said Thursday.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has until April 20 to nominate a minimum of 25 communities for consideration by the U.S. Treasury Department.

Candidates must have an individual poverty rate of at least 20 percent and median family income no greater than 80 percent of the area median.

On Long Island that includes portions of Freeport, Hempstead Village, New Cassel, Uniondale and Westbury in Nassau County, and Brentwood, Calverton, Central Islip, Flanders, Huntington Station, Riverhead and Riverside in Suffolk.

ESD, along with the state Homes and Community Renewal department, and the Regional Economic Development Councils will review the suggested neighborhoods and make recommendations to Cuomo.

To recommend a neighborhood, go to esd.ny.gov/opportunity-zones and scroll down to the Questions or Suggestions section to submit a comment.

By James T. Madore

james.madore@newsday.comJamesTMadore

James T. Madore writes about Long Island business news including the economy, development, and the relationship between government and business. He previously served as Albany bureau chief.