Pictured is SUNY Potsdam's Start-Up NY committee, Raymond Bowdish, Meg Bain, Fred Hanss, Patrick Kelly, John Wicke and Sandy Maine.

 POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam’ Start-Up NY plan has been approved by state officials, the first in the North Country.

An initiative of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the Start-Up NY program provides incentives for eligible businesses to relocate or expand tax-free on or near campus for 10 years; their employees will pay no state or local income taxes.

SUNY Potsdam officials are working with the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency to attract businesses to their tax-free zone.

The school recently worked with the IDA on a targeted mailing to Boston-area SUNY Potsdam graduates, in coordination with a trade show, encouraging alumni to consider locating a new or expanding business near their alma mater, according to a news release.

The college is looking to attract businesses that pair with its academic strengths, such as information technology, art start-ups and renewable energy firms, according to a prepared statement released today.

Possible locations where businesses participating in SUNY Potsdam's Start-Up NY plan could locate include:

• Potsdam Commerce Park: 12,000-square-foot business-ready building owned by the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency and located within one mile of campus on Outer Elm Street, in the village of Potsdam.

• Carson Hall: Six offices with all utilities available on the SUNY Potsdam campus, totaling 1,600 square feet.

• Lehman Park: 42 acres of land on the SUNY Potsdam campus, located on outer Pierrepont Avenue.

• NATCO Park: 25 acres of land on the SUNY Potsdam campus, located on outer Main Street across from the Crane School of Music.

• Three business-ready county IDA-owned buildings in the Massena Industrial Park and Clarkson University's business incubator in Peyton Hall, downtown Potsdam.

Businesses participating in the program would not be required to pay state income tax, state business or corporate tax, sales tax or property tax.

On the SUNY Potsdam StartUp NY website, Potsdam is promoted as having a diverse and talented workforce, being a great place to work and live, offering affordable real estate and lower energy costs, and having four universities within a 10-mile radius.

The SUNY Potsdam Start-Up NY Committee met for the first time on March 28. Its members include John M. Wicke, director of strategic alliances, SUNY Potsdam; Patrick Kelly, CEO, St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency; Sandy Maine '78, owner, Adirondack Fragrance; Fred Hanss '83, planning and development director, Village of Potsdam; Meg Bain, assistant director of career planning, SUNY Potsdam; and Raymond Bowdish '87, biology instructional specialist, Faculty Senate delegate, SUNY Potsdam

For more information, go to www.potsdam.edu/about/startupny to learn more about the project.