Business Incentive Rate (BIR) is an energy discount program co-administered by EDC and Con Edison. The program is designed to encourage economic growth in the manufacturing and industrial sectors by offering a discount off of Con Edison’s electric delivery charges. Con Edison directly provides the electricity discount to eligible businesses under this program. EDC processes and tracks the paperwork and performs Account Management and Compliance functions.

New York City businesses that are manufacturers or have wholesale distribution facilities in the five boroughs may apply. Companies are expected to increase and maintain their employment in NYC. The company must also be applying for (and subsequently receiving) another city or state benefit that equals or exceeds the value of the BIR benefit. Those benefits include (but are not limited to): IDA, ICIP, ECSP, and Empire Zone benefits.

Retail establishments are excluded from participating in this program. This includes stores (such as grocery stores), restaurants, franchises, chain establishments, and related businesses. Government entities are also excluded from receiving the BIR benefit.

The Business Incentive Rate reduces the delivery components of electricity bills by 30-35 percent. The program has a term of five years.