ECIDA Creates New MWBE Incentive
The Erie County Industrial Development Agency recently approved a new incentive for MWBE subcontractor utilization, known as the Economic Inclusion Program.Â
 To qualify for the incentive, applicants must achieve a 30% MWBE utilization rate (25% MBE/5% WBE) in the construction phase of a project. Additionally, post-construction, applicants must meet a 30% M/W job creation requirement. Applicants must also commit to some post-project initiatives, including MWBE procurement practices, adopting a DEI policy, providing DEI training for staff, or providing mentorship for MWBE businesses. Â
Applicants who meet these criteria are eligible for larger and longer tax abatements through ECIDA (see chart below). Â
Although a heavy-handed MWBE mandate was initially discussed, the BNP successfully advocated for making this policy an opt-in incentive.Â
The full policy is available here. Businesses interested in learning how their DEI strategy can make them eligible for this incentive should contact the BNP’s Kenya Hobbs at khobbs@thepartnership.org. Â
Related Posts
4 New HR Mandates Employers Need to Know
New employee rights are among the key policy revisions to come out of the 2024-25 New York State budget approved in April. At the BNP’s latest Government Affairs series event, a panel of experts broke down what employers need to know about these HR mandates – some of have already gone into effect. Here are four key takeaways from Policy Perspective.
BNP Hosts County Executive Candidates
In preparation for the 2023 elections, the BNP hosted an Erie County Executive Candidate Forum. Both candidates for Erie County’s highest office – incumbent Mark Poloncarz and challenger Chrissy Casilio – were given 45 minutes to address BNP members in a guided discussion.
Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse Region Can Become America’s Semiconductor Superhighway
After years of relentless advocacy to bolster Upstate NY’s innovation and manufacturing industries, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins announced the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region have joined forces with a proposal to become a federally-designated Tech Hub in the first-of-its-kind nationwide competition created in his CHIPS & Science Bill.
How the U.S. Is Closing the Door to Top Talent
The BNP organized a Capital Conversations event as part of our Government Affairs series to examine the workings of the H-1B program and explore potential reforms that could strengthen our regional economy.