September, 4, 2009 - The New York City Department of Small Business Services today announced the recipients of benefits through the Energy Cost Savings Program (ECSP). The program encourages companies to grow in New York City by reducing regulated energy costs to eligible businesses that relocate to or within the City or make capital improvements to their property. Making It Easier for Small Businesses to Launch and Grow in New York City is Part of the Bloomberg Administration’s Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan.

"The City's incentives programs are designed to help businesses reduce expenses, such as those associated with energy and relocation," said SBS Commissioner Robert W. Walsh. "By trimming operating costs, businesses can remain competitive, plus retain thousands of jobs and continue to help expand our City’s economy."

The ECSP tax incentive can reduce the delivery costs of electricity bills by up to 45% and natural gas bills by up to 35%. Since the beginning of the calendar year, 48 new businesses have been approved for energy benefits valued at more than $715,000 annually. Last year, 70 new businesses were approved for energy benefits valued at more than $1.4 million annually. The benefits last up to 12 years.

For example, through the ECSP a medium-sized apparel manufacturer relocating from Manhattan south of 96th Street to a 10,000 square-foot space in the Astoria section of Queens can save $3,600 annually. In today’s dollars, savings from the program over 12 years could amount to over $25,000.

The following companies have recently been approved for ECSP benefits:

• Bronx Westchester Tempering, Inc., a glass manufacturer with 15 employees, which invested over $250,000 in improvements to its facility in the Wakefield area of the Bronx, is receiving a 45% discount on regulated electricity.
• Benson Mills, Inc., a manufacturer of tablecloths with 15 employees, resides in a building whose landlord, the Brooklyn Army Terminal, invested approximately $24.6 million in improvements to its property in the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Business Zone and is receiving 45% discount on regulated electricity.
• Hall Street Storage, LLC, a cold storage warehouse with 24 employees, invested over $600,000 in improvements to its facility in the Clinton Hill area of Brooklyn, is receiving 45% discount on regulated electricity as well as a benefit for producing their own energy by installing co-generation systems to meet emissions tests, making the City more environmentally efficient.
• National Leather and Shoe Findings Co., a wholesale distributor of shoe leather and repair supplies with six employees, invested approximately $121,000 in improvements to it facility in the Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill neighborhood, is receiving a 45% discount on regulated electricity
• Tracy Watts, Inc. a hat designer and manufacturer with three employees moved its operations from Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood to the Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Business Zone and is receiving a 45% discount on regulated electricity.
• Safe Art Sat, Inc., a warehouse distributor of fine arts with 28 employees invested approximately $120,000 in improvements to its facility in the Steinway Industrial Business Zone, and is receiving a 45% discount on regulated electricity.
• 33rd Street Bakery, Inc., a commercial bakery with 59 employees, which invested over $218,000 in improvements to its facility in the Long Island City Industrial Business Zone, is receiving a 45% discount on regulated electricity.
• Anheuser Busch, Inc., a warehouse distributor of beers and ales with 294 employees, invested over $2,600,000 in improvements to its facility in the Hunts Point Industrial Business Zone, is receiving a 45% discount on regulated electricity.
• Deep Draw Silver, Inc., a manufacturer of silver plating with 45 employees, invested $197,800 in improvements to its facility in the Port Morris Industrial Business Zone of the Bronx, is receiving a 45% discount on regulated electricity.
• Federated Fire Protection Corp., a manufacturer of fire sprinklers with 56 employees, invested $17,000 in improvements to its facility in the Hunts Point Industrial Business Zone of the Bronx, is receiving a 45% discount on regulated electricity.
• Remco Maintenance LLC, a manufacturer of ornamental architectural metals with 247 employees, resides in a building whose landlord, 47-25 34th Associates LLC, invested $850,000 in improvements to its facility in the Long Island City Industrial Business Zone, is receiving a 45% discount on regulated electricity.
• Fat Witch Bakery, Inc., is a commercial baker with 18 employees which moved its back office operations from Chelsea to Harlem in Manhattan. The company is receiving a 45% discount on regulated electricity and a 35% discount on natural gas.
• Sweet Sam’s Baking LLC, a commercial baker with 72 employees, invested $91,000 in improvements to its facility in the Zerega Industrial Business Zone of the Bronx, is receiving a 45% discount on regulated electricity and a 35% discount on natural gas.
• Hale and Hearty Soups, LLC, a manufacturer of soups and salad dressings with 38 employees invested $950,000 in improvements to its facility in College Point, Brooklyn, and is receiving a 45% discount on regulated electricity and a 35% discount on natural gas.
• Hi-Tech Resource Recovery Inc., a recycling plant with 19 employees invested $600,000 in improvements to its facility in the North Brooklyn Industrial Business Zone, and is receiving a 45% discount on regulated electricity.  

Businesses are eligible for ECSP benefits if they are moving from outside New York City into most areas of the City, or relocating from "targeted" areas of the City to Upper Manhattan or the outer boroughs. Firms located in buildings that are approved for Industrial Development Agency or Industrial and Commercial Incentive Program benefits and have invested in property improvements at a cost of at least ten percent of the property's assessed value may also qualify. Additional incentives are available for businesses which install systems to generate their own electricity and meet emissions tests. Most industrial and commercial properties qualify for the benefits.

Businesses can learn more about the ECSP and other incentives by going online to www.nyc.gov/businessexpress and clicking on the "Incentives Estimator."  The Incentives Estimator is an application that provides business customers with advice and information about City, State and Federal incentive programs. It is tailored to each customer’s estimated eligibility based on answers that they provide to a series of questions. Businesses can also learn more about the incentive program by calling 311 and asking for "Business Incentives."

About the Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan
The Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan is a comprehensive strategy to bring New York City through the current economic downturn as fast as possible. It focuses on three major areas: creating jobs for New Yorkers today, implementing a long-term vision for growing the city's economy, and building affordable, attractive neighborhoods in every borough. Taken together, the initiatives that the City has launched to achieve these goals will generate thousands of jobs and put New York City on a path to economic recovery and growth.

About The Department of Small Business Services
The Department of Small Business Services (SBS) makes it easier for businesses in New York City to form, do business, and grow by providing direct assistance to business owners, fostering neighborhood development in commercial districts, and linking employers to a skilled and qualified workforce. NYC Workforce1 Career Centers offer services to meet the needs of all jobseekers, including one-on-one job and career counseling, technical and educational services, workshops, and referrals to training providers. For more information on all of SBS’ services go to www.nyc.gov/sbs.