N.Y. Economic Development Law § 215: Come home to New York program

§ 215. Come home to New York program. 1. There is hereby established

in the department a "come home to New York" program to encourage the

return of native New Yorkers to the state by establishing a local

network of outlets designed to assist native New Yorkers in returning,

relocating or starting a small business in New York state.

2. The department shall:

(a) develop and enter into agreements with not-for-profit

organizations in geographic areas throughout New York state which will

serve as local coordinators for the program;

(b) develop a "come home to New York" website and promotional

materials that can be tailored to particular jurisdictions;

(c) encourage not-for-profit organizations in every part of the state

to participate in the come home to New York network;

(d) create a statewide public awareness campaign for the program;

(e) maintain a data base of investment-opportunities profiles

submitted by relocating entrepreneurs and investment-interest profiles

submitted by investors; and

(f) distribute investor and relocating entrepreneur applications in

paper form and through electronic resources.

3. The department, through its regional offices, shall work with local

coordinators to:

(a) originate a local name for the program and integrate it into the

template website and related promotional materials to highlight regional

quality of life, economic and cultural opportunities and include links

to related websites;

(b) recruit volunteers in various occupational areas to provide the

necessary networking opportunities that returning New Yorkers need, in

fields such as law, finance, microbusiness start-up, high technology,

construction, health care, manufacturing and retail operations;

(c) conduct outreach to local schools, colleges, universities and

other organizations to develop a manner of contacting former residents

who have left the state;

(d) develop a local public awareness campaign for the program;

(e) compile and report program statistics to the coordinator's office;

(f) serve as a screening mechanism through which introductions may be

made between returning or newly established businesses and potential

investors;

(g) aid prospective returning and newly established small businesses

in presenting their ventures to investors; and

(h) encourage the formation of a venture capital funding network at

the local level with the assistance of the department.