Case Study: Albee Square / City Point
In fall 2009, the city's Capital Resource Corporation, a subsidiary of the Industrial Development Agency, announced it was awarding the developers $20 million in tax-exempt Recovery Zone Facility Bonds, authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in order to jump-start the retail and housing part of the project. The city estimates that it will create 328 construction jobs and 108 full-time equivalent permanent jobs. However, there are no guarantees taxpayer money will create decent, living wage jobs for residents or displaced workers. The permanent jobs will be primarily part-time, low-wage retail jobs, and will actually represent a net loss of jobs in Albee Square.
Green Collar Jobs Roadmap
Initiated in 2008, the Green Collar Jobs Roundtable brought together 170 green employers, unions, workforce development providers and environmental justice organizations to develop a Green Collar Jobs Roadmap, a comprehensive policy proposal for jumpstarting New York’s green economy.
The Facts About IDAs
Each year, IDAs are required to report on the projects they subsidize. In the last three years, we have analyzed that data and produced key facts about IDA performance. A look at the most recent data reveals increased spending and revenue loss to local communities, and wasted subsidies.
Top Reasons to Reform IDAs
Our state is facing economic and budgetary crises of historical proportions. Instead of contributing to the economic recovery and revitalization needed in our communities and our state, IDAs are falling asleep on the job. Instead of contributing to the economic recovery and revitalization needed in our communities and our state, IDAs are falling asleep on the job. New research shows...