Niagara Falls could benefit from Tax-Free NY plan

Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane) lauded Governor Cuomo’s ‘Tax-Free NY’ proposal—a plan announced yesterday that would stimulate economic development by leveraging higher education assets in the SUNY system.  Thinking of the potential impact on his own Senate District, Senator Maziarz has suggested to the Governor that Niagara Falls be used as a prime example for how the plan can be successful.

In a letter sent to Governor Cuomo today, Senator Maziarz wrote, “As you are well aware, the recently-opened Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, which is part of Niagara County Community College (NCCC), currently owns about 90,000 square feet of the former [Rainbow] mall.  That leaves about 200,000 square feet of space available for development right in the heart of Niagara Falls.”  Senator Maziarz went on to suggest that, though there are many details that need to be worked out, this vacant space could qualify as a tax-free zone under the Tax-Free NY plan.  This could be a “signature project” which would “afford us a tremendous opportunity to attract national business ventures to Niagara Falls.”

Senator Maziarz added he hopes to discuss the plan further with Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development Regional President Sam Hoyt.