Governor Cuomo launches START-UP NY approval board

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Feb. 26 announced the launch of the START-UP NY approval board with the appointments of Edward Cupoli, Abraham Lackman, and Andrew Kennedy.

The approval board, which will review and decide on plans for tax-free areas that private universities and colleges submit, builds on the progress made in implementing the initiative, Cuomo’s office said in a news release.

Cuomo’s administration created START-UP NY, an initiative involving tax-free zones, as a means of attracting businesses, drawing new private-sector investment, and generating jobs. The governor launched the effort during an international program held in New York City on Oct. 22.

“The board’s collective expertise in the areas of economic development, higher education, and government will be key to implementing this game-changing economic-development initiative across our state,” Cuomo said in the news release

After Empire State Development’s initial review, the approval board will evaluate and approve private university and college plans as designated tax-free areas under the START-UP NY program.

The approval board will also designate up to 20 strategic state assets as tax-free areas. Colleges and universities wishing to submit START-UP NY plans for board consideration can send completed plans to Designations@esd.ny.gov or visit www.startup-ny.com to learn more about the program.

START-UP NY seeks to accelerate entrepreneurialism and job creation across the state, with a particular focus on upstate New York, the governor’s office said.

The State University of New York campus system, along with other college communities, serves as the framework of the START-UP NY program to attract high-tech and other startups, venture capital, new business and investments from around the world.

Under the program, the state says businesses have the chance to operate completely tax-free for 10 years on eligible campuses and in eligible spaces.

Businesses will collaborate with the campuses in the SUNY system, along with other universities, and have access to industry experts and advanced-research laboratories, according to the governor’s office.

About the appointees

Cupoli is a professor emeritus at the University at Albany and a trustee emeritus at Cornell University.

Cupoli holds a doctoral and master’s degree in economics from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree from Le Moyne College.

The New York State Assembly appointed Cupoli to the approval board.

Cupoli offers more than 40 years of expertise in the formation of university-industry-government partnerships for the purposes of advancing technology and building economic competitiveness, Cuomo’s office said.

Cupoli most recently served as chief economist at SEMATECH and was professor of nanoeconomics and head of the nanoeconomics constellation at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) at the University at Albany, according to the governor’s office.

SEMATECH, which is short for Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, is an Austin, Texas–based nonprofit consortium that performs research and development to advance chip manufacturing.

Lackman, senior officer for civic affairs at the New York City–based Simons Foundation, has experience in government, economic development, and higher education, Cuomo’s office said.

The New York State Senate appointed Lackman to the approval board.

In his current role, he fosters the foundation’s strategic relationships with governments, non-profit organizations and other partners.

Kennedy currently serves as Cuomo’s assistant secretary for economic development. The governor appointed Kennedy to the approval board.

In his role, Kennedy coordinates the development and management of the state’s economic development and housing efforts, and serves as the liaison to the regional economic-development councils.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com