Suffolk County IDA releases new summary report of decade-long planning economic impact studies

Hauppauge, NY The Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (SCIDA) has released a comprehensive summary report, Planning for Economic Growth, which outlines the findings of a 10-year planning effort. This report, completed in partnership with the Regional Plan Association (RPA), James Lima Planning + Development (JLP+D), Long Island Association’s Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee (LIA) and Suffolk County, is a historic effort that helped municipalities leverage resources to foster transit-oriented development, diversify housing opportunities, and create safer and more walkable environments and downtowns.

“We are extremely proud of this report as it represents a culmination of hard work, partnership and dedication to provide pivotal resources in a county-wide effort to expand and improve our local economic landscape,” said Sarah Lansdale, commissioner of Suffolk County’s Department of Economic Development and Planning and chair of the Suffolk IDA. “The economic development opportunities born by this effort have led to real results for many of our local downtowns. We sincerely thank all of our partners in this effort that are helping to produce a better and more robust Suffolk County.”

In 2014, SCIDA partnered with the RPA and JLP+D to collaborate with self-selecting local municipalities to identify economic development opportunities in downtowns and transit corridors with the focus of spurring sustainable economic growth in Suffolk County. Since then, 13 studies have been completed with three more expected to be finished in 2023. Overall, these efforts supported significant community investment into infrastructure, land use and planning, as well as real estate development.  

“The Suffolk County IDA is so much more than providing financial incentives to businesses and this effort is a shining example of that,” said Kelly Murphy, acting executive director of the Suffolk County IDA. “By launching this planning initiative, many of Suffolk County’s municipalities have leveraged these roadmaps that have provided tangible benefits to their overall economic development goals. Meaningful economic development requires a holistic approach and these comprehensive planning documents are providing our partner municipalities the keys to unlock their true potential.”

By the Numbers
Using this effort’s reports and analyses as a roadmap to economic prosperity, municipalities have seen collective infrastructure grant awards totaling more than $129.5 million. Even more impressive is the fact that for every $1 in infrastructure funding provided, it is estimated to lead to $13 in additional real estate investment. These guides for economic success have also led to the adoption of 31 forward-looking local land use and zoning policy changes.

The various funding resources and zoning changes led to the creation of 5.9 million s/f in real estate projects, including 1,600 new residential units—300 of which are designated affordable—that have been built or entered the pipeline in involved communities. Overall, the planning studies are estimated to accelerate the pace of development by 65% and are expected to have a total impact in the creation of 15,000 jobs, $1.4 billion in labor income, $1.7 billion in gross domestic product annually and a total economic output of $2.7 billion during construction. After build-out, the assets will support, on an annual basis, 11,000 jobs, $882 million in labor income, $1.4 billion in gross domestic product annually and a total economic output of $2.5 billion as permanent impact.

“It’s evident that the intentional and strategic investments by the Suffolk County IDA in the past decade have spurred tremendous new private investment within the County that might not otherwise have materialized,” said James Lima, president, JLP+D. “James Lima Planning + Development is proud to have served as economic advisor to the County for many of these initiatives, and we recognize that there remain tremendous opportunities for the county’s continued growth and prosperity.”

Over the past 10 years, these studies have supported the following communities: Amityville, Rte. 110 Corridor, Lindenhurst, West Babylon, Kings Park & Smithtown, Ronkonkoma, East Patchogue, Holbrook, Hauppauge, Greenport, Brentwood, Selden/Centereach and North Bellport.

“With the right tools and support from Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) to enhance their communities, RPA is thrilled to see participating municipalities’ progress to make themselves more sustainable, equitable, prosperous, and healthier,” said Tom Wright, president & CEO, Regional Plan Association. “Investing in downtowns and transit corridors can make towns much more vibrant and accessible, and we hope to see these communities continue to flourish. RPA is very appreciative of our decade old partnership with Suffolk County IDA and the opportunity to plan for economic growth and a brighter future for Suffolk County. We are hopeful that the demonstrable success in these communities will continue to be replicated and scaled up in other places across the region.”

“Industrial Development Agencies play a pivotal role in attracting and retaining businesses and creating jobs on Long Island, and this report demonstrates the significant value that the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency provided to communities by supporting their planning efforts and catalyzing private investment,” said Matt Cohen, LIA president & CEO.