The department evolved from two separate organizations created in 1935: the Division of State Planning, in the Executive Department, and the Bureau of State Publicity, in the Conservation Department. The Division of State Planning (Laws of 1935, Chapter 304) was established to coordinate plans for State economic development. It was headed by the State Planning Council, which consisted of five members appointed by the governor. The Conservation Department's Bureau of Publicity was established to undertake advertising and promotion of tourism (Laws of 1935, Chapter 808).
Following a recommendation of the Joint Legislative Commission on Labor and Industrial Relations, these two organizations were combined into a Division of Commerce in the Executive Department (Laws of 1941, Chapter 216). In 1943 the Division of Commerce was made into a department, charged with promoting the economic development of the State. In 1987, the Department of Commerce was renamed the Department of Economic Development under the terms of the Omnibus Economic Development Act. This act reorganized the economic development activities of the State under a director of economic development, who oversees the activities of twenty-two State agencies and departments. Today, the department, along with its sister agency, the Empire State Development Corporation, operate jointly as Empire State Development.
From the New York State Archives, Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY. Agency record NYSV86-A360
