NY website seeks to attract, grow business

New York has launched a website it hopes will be a friendly guide for employers thinking of moving or expanding in the Empire State.

New York First is the first portal for all statewide economic development programs and the many agencies that businesses must deal with.

The site provides one-stop shopping for business operators and those who launch a business. It includes advice on starting businesses in New York, details on state regulations, information on the taxes specific businesses will face, and available tax breaks. There is also a way to directly contact experts in different areas.

And, soon, there will be app for that on smart phones.

New York is expected to be among the first states to have a economic development smart-phone app. The application in the works would make New York First portable and more widespread.

"Websites are often a, 'Here's who we are and what we do,'"

Gov. David Paterson said. "But New York First articulates, 'Here's what New York can do for you.'"

For example, the "experts on demand" function comes with a guarantee that every e-mail or phone call will get a response within one business day.

The website is praised by Kathryn Wilde of the Partnership for New York City and Kenneth Adams of the New York State Business Council.

"New York First is a concise portal for business looking for information on the advantages of having a home in New York state,"said Omar Usmani of Aeon Nexus, an information technology consulting and procurement company based in Glens Falls, Warren County.

Republicans now in the Senate's minority had pushed for a similar measure.

"While a new website to help businesses is nice, the best way to help them create jobs would be to cut back the tax increases passed in the last two years that Senate Republicans voted against," Senator Dean Skelos said.

See the website here