We are not part of the Erie County government body; we are a public benefit corporation created in 1970 by act of the New York State Legislature to assist private sector industrial, business and community development, creating job opportunities and economic well-being for the people of Erie County. The ECIDA is self-funded; our operating budget comes from fees, not from any taxpayer revenue source
. Our tax incentives are not grants or cash given to businesses, but rather temporary "discounts" or exemptions from certain taxes if the business meets certain criteria, such as developing a building or purchasing equipment for a factory, or creating a certain number of jobs. If the business does not meet the criteria as promised, the tax incentives can be rescinded in a "claw back" provision, and the business may be required to pay back the discounted or exempted amounts.
