• Where is the Stewart-Newburgh Empire Zone? 
• Why would I want to consider relocating to this area? 
• How much does it cost to apply for certification within the Zone? 
• How long does it take to get certified? What steps are necessary to get certified? 
• What is a “QEZE” (Qualified Empire Zone Enterprise)?
• What level of employee can I expect to find in the Newburgh-Stewart Empire Zone? 
• Is the cost of doing business less in an EZ?  If so, be specific? 
• Whom do I call?

Find the answers to these questions below.

Where is the Newburgh-Stewart Empire Zone?
As the name suggests, the Zone encompasses 1280 acres on various parcels in the Town of Newburgh, the Town of New Windsor, and the City of Newburgh, all of which lie in Orange County, New York. Orange County, New York is located 60 miles north of New York City and is one of the fastest growing counties in the state of New York.

Stewart International Airport, located in the Town of New Windsor, is the first airport in the nation to be privatized. The privatization, coupled with Orange County’s location at the junction of a number of major roadways (including Interstate 84, Route 17 (future Interstate 86), and the New York Thruway (Interstate 87) has brought an influx of new business and expanding businesses to the region.

The largest portion of the Zone lies within the City of Newburgh, where a large portion of the downtown area and the Hudson Riverfront comprise over 800 acres of the Zone.

Why would I want to consider relocating to this area?
Orange County and the Newburgh-Stewart Empire Zone represent the 21^st Century!

Located in the Heart of the Hudson Valley, the Newburgh-Stewart EZ offers eligible businesses sales tax refunds, wage tax credits and investment tax credits – JUST FOR LOCATING AND GROWING YOUR BUSINESS WITHIN THE ZONE! With these benefits reducing the cost of doing business, you can’t afford to miss the zone!

How much does it cost to apply for certification within the Zone?
Not a cent. There is no charge for submitting a completed, notarized EZ C-1 application.

How long does it take to get certified?
On average, certification takes four to six weeks.

What steps are necessary to get certified?
Once a company fills out an application (which you can do by mail or from this website) and returns it to our office, the EZ Administrative Board will review it and, if approved, will forward it to the certifying officer for review and will then send it to the State of New York for final approval. The process is easy and painless for qualified businesses.

What is a “qualified business”?
Qualified businesses include businesses of all sizes in good standing that project growth and an increase in employment within the Zone.  Some restrictions apply for retail businesses but most companies are eligible to receive benefits.

What level of employee can I expect to find in the Newburgh-Stewart Empire Zone?

All types of employees work and live in the Zone. Orange County is a diverse community with a variety of workers from unskilled to highly skilled. In addition to skilled and unskilled employees, the EZ administration works in cooperation with the County’s higher-educational facilities, the Department of Labor, the County’s Board of Cooperative Educational Services, and the Private Industry Council to help employers find the right workers to fit their needs.

Is the cost of doing business less in an EZ? If so, be specific?
With all the tax credits and sales tax exemptions available for new and expanding businesses, the cost of doing business in the EZ will surely be less than if your company locates outside of the Zone. Once again, you can’t afford not to be in the Zone!

Who do I call?
Call William Trimble, EZ Director, at 845-291-2700, or email us below!