DON’T FORGET... ...About the great new FREE benefit for all Chamber members As you know, your business directory listing on the Chamber website includes a link to YOUR website (assuming you have given us your website address). Now, you can also have a direct link to all your social media sites. Simply log into the Members Only section at www. orangeny.com to add your Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, You Tube and any other social media sites you have. Call the Chamber at 845-457-9700 if you would like your login information.
New NYS Program Creating ‘Magnets For Investment’
Braving The Heat
Being called a “game changer for the Empire State,” START-UP NY (SUNY Tax-free Areas to Revitalize and Transform Upstate NY) will transform SUNY campuses and university communities across the state into tax-free communities – meaning no income tax for employees, and no sales, property or business tax 10 years.
Members of the Orange County Chamber Young Professionals recently braved the heat to help Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh clear land to prepare for the building of a new house. In the foreground are Erin Waz, from the Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center (right) and Johnnieanne Hansen, from Walden Savings Bank. Scott Wohl, from the Builders Association of the Hudson Valley, is in the rear.
START-UP NY will offer new businesses the opportunity to operate completely taxfree while also partnering with the worldclass higher education institutions in the SUNY system. It is hoped that the initiative will attract venture capital, start-ups, new businesses and investments from across the nation and the world to New York. With a strong focus on job creation, every business will be required to create and maintain net new jobs. Businesses participating in the program will need to be aligned with or further the academic mission of the campus, college or university sponsoring the tax-free community, as well as have positive community and economic benefits. Businesses must be start-ups, a company from out of state that is relocating to New York State, or an expansion of an existing NYS company. All SUNY colleges and universities will have the opportunity to develop tax-free communities. CUNY and private colleges will also have an opportunity to participate. For more information, visit www.governor. ny.gov/2013-startupny/startupny.
T H E O R A N G E C O U N T Y C H A M B E R B U S I N E S S W AT C H | A U G U S T/ se p te m be r 2 0 13
7