Riverhead rising: All roads lead to Riverhead and we are open for business!

The town of Riverhead is the gateway to the East End. Geographically located where Long Island splits into the North and South Forks, it is approximately 78 square miles. Riverhead is home to significant retail and tourist attractions, having quick access to the vineyards, surrounding waterways and outlet centers. As the county seat, Riverhead is a substantial business hub with the neighboring County Center and Supreme Courts giving way to a flourishing professional environment. Our economy is diversified and supported by various industries. Home to a state of the art regional hospital, Peconic Bay Medical Center's expansions have exploded the medical profession advancing surgical services and forming a medical corridor in the center of town. With a diverse and educated population of over 33,000, the workforce is dynamic. Despite the economy, Riverhead is undergoing an evolution that continues to grow at a steady rate. There is a surge of interest within the downtown area where revitalization efforts are at the forefront of economic development tasks. Optimism has sprung with the opening of the Hyatt East End and the new exhibition space at the LI Aquarium generating investment in new boutique style storefronts and restaurants all along our Main St. Businesses located in downtown are breathing new life as they modernize and expand. We have the recently renovated 1930's vintage roadside diner the Riverhead Grill and the expanded Athens Gyro and Grill with its fine street-side dining. The Dark Horse Restaurant is housed within a renovated 1920's building that now includes five live/work duplexes. Adjacent, a workforce housing project is breaking ground. Cultural attractions abound in our downtown district. Visitors can experience the town's $2 million facelift along the riverfront, a community garden, the LI Science Center, Vail Levitt Music Hall, East End Arts Council, SC Historical Museum and the 1960s Art Deco Suffolk Theater currently under renovation to be reborn as cabaret style facility for the arts. The development of a 2900 acre industrial site, now known as the Enterprise Park in Calverton (EPCAL), will be the economic generator for the entire region. Facilitated through an updated comprehensive re-use initiative, the town's goal is to encourage proper reuse and attract principal companies. Already home to significant industry, the town intends on expediting development projects by establishing an "all encompassing" review through one agency, sparking significant interest in the last great frontier of development on the East End. Home to the Stony Brook Incubator at Calverton, Riverhead continues to encourage aquaculture, agriculture and environmental technologies. The northern corridor to the east end takes you past The Hallockville Museum Farm, over half dozen wineries, LI Vodka and several breweries. Agri-tourism remains a huge lure since farmers adjusted to the times and worked to preserve our heritage. Roadside stands, adventures, corn mazes, spooky walks, pick-your-own, hayrides and more strengthen tourism while preserving the industry. We are so lucky! Riverhead has it all and still offers affordable quality living. Real estate is still reasonable and the current governing body has opened the doors for business. The town's Eco Dev team includes all departments and real estate entities. The Riverhead COC and the BID have driven up the marketability of the town with an abundance of unique and educational festivals and seminars and infrastructure improvements. Between the revitalization of its downtown and the progress soon to be seen at EPCAL, Riverhead is rising to be the epicenter of well balanced development in Suffolk County. All Roads Lead to Riverhead and we are open for business! Tracy Stark-James is the executive director and CEO at Riverhead Industrial Development Agency, Riverhead, N.Y.