Nassau Encourages Green Development With New IDA Policy

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Richard Kessel, the chairman of the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) announced today that the IDA board unanimously voted to incentivize environmental protection and water conservation by Nassau businesses.

The policy will try to put the county's environmental sustainability first by offering financial incentives to encourage businesses to construct new buildings and renovations to protect the environment and surrounding communities.

“As we recover from the pandemic, Nassau County is investing in a sustainable economic recovery that will support thousands of good-paying jobs and improve the living conditions of communities disproportionately harmed by industrial pollution," Curran said. "My administration is committed to the conservation, protection and improvement of our natural resources and the environment."

According to the county, it is committed to offering financing to encourage industries to take the necessary steps to make their businesses more environmentally sound. IDA financing will make a significant difference in promoting healthier communities, officials say, while also promoting economic activity and job retention and creation among the businesses that sell, install, construct or reconstruct the relevant equipment and facilities.

The new measures will empower the IDA to provide sales and/or use tax exemptions and other forms of financial assistance to help qualified businesses complete environmental pollution mitigation and conservation projects. These improvements could come in the form of green upgrades to equipment, structures, facilities and more.

“Throughout its action, the Nassau County IDA created an important new tool that will benefit ongoing efforts to protect the environment, improve public health, and advance the cause of environmental justice here in Nassau County,” said Nassau County Legislator Siela A. Bynoe, who helped spearhead the measure. “I am deeply appreciative to Chairman Kessel and his IDA colleagues for taking my recommendations to heart and working collaboratively to achieve a fruitful outcome that will mitigate industrial pollution and conserve our natural resources for future generations.”

“This new policy will assist companies who want to contribute to a cleaner environment for the good of the public and their own employees,” said Nassau County Industrial Development Agency Chairman, Richard Kessel. “The NCIDA will assist in encouraging companies to take full advantage of these benefits; especially in areas that have environmental problems that need remediation.”

The new policy will go into effect on Sept. 1.