Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. Its mission "is to promote a vigorous and growing state economy, encourage business investment and job creation, and support diverse, prosperous local economies across New York State through the efficient use of loans, grants, tax credits, real estate development, marketing and other forms of assistance." As Commissioner of the New York State Department of Economic Development, Howard Zemsky is also the President and CEO of Empire State Development.