A study by Good Jobs First gave New York a grade of "D" for its job-growth incentive programs and ranked the state near the bottom compared with programs in other states in terms of having meaningful performance standards.

The nonprofit's study, titled "Money for Something," evaluated 238 economic-incentive programs in all states and Washington, D.C., for performance standards and quality job creation requirements. States spend in excess of $11 billion a year on such programs.

The programs were graded on whether they required the companies receiving public dollars to create jobs and keep them in the area; whether there were market-based wage and health benefit requirements; and whether the programs required that companies offer additional benefits to employees.

Some of these programs in New York have undergone scrutiny. The Empire Zone program, which has been replaced with the Excelsior Jobs Program, received a grade of 28 out of 100. According to the report, the program cost the state $423 million this year. The Excelsior Jobs Program received a grade of 25 out of 100, costing $30 million.

The report also gave low grades to industrial development agencies, with a grade of 25 out of 100 at a cost of $496 million; the Brownfield Cleanup Program (10 out of 100 at a cost of $354 million); and Empire State Film Production Credit (10 out of 100 at a cost of $276 million).

The five main job growth incentive programs in New York scored an average of 20 out of a possible 100 points - a grade of "D." New York tied for 43rd with Massachusetts, Hawaii and North Dakota.

The top-scoring states were Nevada (82), North Carolina (79) and Vermont (77). Receiving the lowest scores were Washington, D.C. (4), Alaska (5) and Wyoming (10).

This story originally appeared in the Albany Business Review. Brian Bandell contributed to this report.