constitutes essential activities, particularly as it relates to religious practice. Structure Since 1995, four entities have been operationally merged and referred to as Empire State Development (ESD): Urban Development Corporation (UDC), d/b/a Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) In 2017, the UDC had operating expenses of $1.282 billion, an outstanding debt of $12.895 billion, and a staffing level of 351 people. Department of Economic Development (DED) New York Job Development Authority (JDA), d/b/a Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) In 2017, the JDA had operating expenses of $2.96 million, an outstanding debt of $10.068 billion, and a staffing level of 4 people. Science and Technology Foundation (STF) Although ESD officials have programmatically consolidated the DED, UDC, JDA and STF, they have not legally consolidated the agencies. The commissioner of the DED is the chairman of the boards of UDC, JDA and STF, but those boards continue to operate as separate bodies. The UDC is allowed to operate through subsidiaries. Each subsidiary has its own board of directors. , there were nine subsidiaries of ESD:. ESD also has more than 120 inactive subsidiaries such as the Archive Preservation Corporation and the Governors Island Redevelopment Corporation. These subsidiaries are legal entities but are no longer used and have not been legally dissolved. Atlantic Yards Community Development Corporation (AYCDC) Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation (BBPDC) Convention Center Development Corporation (CCDC) Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) Harlem Community Development Corporation (HCDC) Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) Moynihan Station Development Corporation (MSDC) Queens West Development Corporation (QWDC) USA Niagara Development Corporation (USAN) The New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation is also listed on the New York State Comptroller's website as a public benefit corporation that carries out functions that were formerly performed by NYSTAR. NYSTAR is now listed on the ESD website. The New York State Foundation for Science, Technology, and Innovation and NYSTAR are not listed in the 2018 New York State Authorities Budget Office report and so both might be dissolved or chose not to report. Operations The UDC is empowered to issue bonds and notes, grant loans and tax exemptions, acquire private property, exercise eminent domain, create subsidiaries, and exempt projects from/override local laws, ordinances, codes, charters or regulations (e.g., zoning). As with all New York state public-benefit corporations, it can issue bonds without a voter referendum, bypassing the NY's state constitution limits. the UDC reported outstanding debts of $11