The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced Wednesday the launch of the New York State Historic Business Preservation Register.
The online registry, first proposed by Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell and State Senator José M. Serrano, was established to honor and promote New York businesses that have been in business for at least 50 years and have contributed to the history of their communities.
The first round of nominations includes 100 businesses statewide.
The honorary program, which provides educational and promotional assistance to help ensure businesses in the state remain viable, will be coordinated through the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP).
On the agency’s websiteyou can find an interactive graphic map that provides information on the location and history of each business.
“Many of our state’s local businesses have helped shape the character and identity of the communities they call home,” said OPRHP Commissioner Erik Kulleseid. “From small bakeries owned by generations of the same family and farms dating back to the 1700s, to manufacturers that ship products around the world, these local businesses serve New Yorkers well. With the launch of the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry, we are pleased to showcase the businesses, large and small, that are the backbone of our state’s economy.”
Nominations to the registry must be sponsored by a state elected official. Each elected official may nominate two businesses for inclusion per term. The program is non-competitive and as long as the nomination criteria are met, businesses will be added to the registry.
Business owners will receive certificates from their nomination sponsor and window decals with the program logo. Anyone interested in adding a business to the registry should contact their state representative.
“Congratulations to the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for starting the State Register of Historic Businesses. This program recognizes and celebrates the cultural contributions that traditional businesses bring to their communities and showcases local products that have been enjoyed for generations,” said State Senator José M. Serrano.
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