Assembly Minority Leader Charles Nesbitt today offered praise for Governor Pataki's newly announced Operation SPUR - the Strategic Partnership for Upstate Resurgence. The new initiative targets Upstate communities for economic growth with a seven point plan that includes grants, proposals to reduce the costs of doing business, and the expansion of existing economic development programs.

"Many of the proposals in the Governor's plan are similar to those outlined by Assembly Minority members in our new Excelsior 2005 plan," said Leader Nesbitt. "This is great news for our region and I am excited to begin working with Governor Pataki to put the components of this plan into action."

Communities will be eligible for SPUR benefits based on a number of factors including agricultural employment, population and job growth or employment loss. Empire State Development will administer the program.

Operation SPUR includes the following components and benefits for businesses that invest in SPUR communities:

• Tax credit for businesses affiliated with a Center of Excellence;

• New exemption from the Alternative Minimum Tax;

• New wage tax credits;

• Workers' compensation plan that encourages safety and helps prevent fraud, and

• $100 million in grants for capital projects directed at economic development.

Included in both Operation SPUR and the Assembly Minority Excelsior 2005 plan are:

• Single Sales Factor that allows businesses to calculate their Corporate Franchise Tax based on in-state sales only;

• Expansion of the Empire Zone Program to include new zones targeted at agriculture.

In addition to Operation SPUR, Governor Pataki also announced the expansion or enhancement of existing programs to include $10 million in grants for incumbent worker training and extending the Power for Jobs program. The Governor called for enhancing the New York Main Street program, an initiative also included in Excelsior 2005.