Utica Common Council Supports Senator Griffo’s New Start New York Act

The City of Utica is throwing its support behind Senator Joseph Griffo's New Start New York Act, that is aimed at helping all businesses in New York and not just outside businesses that enter the state.

The plan would provide relief from energy, property, and personal income taxes for business owners as well as expand the small business revolving loan fund and create a New Relocation tax credit.

Utica's Common Council passed a resolution supporting Griffo's plan and will send it to all state lawmakers including Governor Cuomo in an effort to encourage all business growth in New York.

The resolution is sponsored by 4th ward Councilman Joe Marino and states that the Utica Common Council will lend its unwavering support to help in any way to make this proposal a reality.

"The strength of the local and state economy comes from existing businesses, and reducing their competitiveness to new companies can result in too many good jobs being lost," said Senator Griffo. "My New Start NY Act would allow existing small businesses to thrive in an bureaucratic climate burdened by taxes and overregulation. As much as we desire to attract new growth from out-of-state companies, we have to retain the talents and experiences of our own homegrown employers. I thank the Common Council for their support of this initiative and Councilman Marino for carrying this message through the chamber."

Utica 3rd ward Councilman Robert DeSanctis is a small business owner who firmly supports Griffo's proposal.

"As a small business owner myself I can see the clear benefits of the Senator's proposal and I proudly stand behind this call to see that it is enacted in New York State," DeSanctis said. "This bill allows for an existing company to compete with the state's incentives given to new companies who move in. It simply levels the playing field for those of us that have taken a chance and started a small business."