Initiative for Development Accountability

Creating and Retaining Good Jobs for New Yorkers


Support IDA Reform

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Each year Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) grant over $400 million dollars in public subsidies and tax incentives to corporations and developers promising jobs and other economic opportunities to New Yorkers. IDA subsidies are the primary local economic development tool of New York’s counties and municipalities.

The New York Initiative for Development Accountability supports the IDA’s mission of attracting business and commerce to New York. We want to ensure, however, that the businesses we subsidize in New York meet basic job standards, accountability and transparency measures.

Currently, many of the businesses we subsidize are not bringing quality jobs to our communities. What’s worse, our IDAs often subsidize businesses even though it’s unclear whether or not they will create jobs or bring other benefits to the community at all. In 2005, 69% of IDAs across the state provided assistance to businesses that actually cut jobs.

We must make better decisions about how to subsidize economic development so that we can attract and sustain quality jobs, benefits, and community amenities where they are needed. Our government and its agencies must subsidize businesses that will be good community partners—businesses that will create family-supporting jobs with living wages and benefits; businesses that will meet our community needs and be responsible to our environment; businesses that our worth our public investment, that we can count on to live up to their end of the deal.