Suffolk County has been working towards accomplishing positive economic development through new types of property development, growing an innovation-based economy, leveraging our talented workforce and advancing more rapid methods of transportation that is critical to our future success. Those that have pushed forward with new ideas when it comes to economic development have been seeing results take shape including the new proactive policies at the Suffolk County IDA. In less than a year The Agency has induced 25 new projects across industries that accounted for a thousand jobs retained and over a thousand new jobs created in the county.
County executive Steve Bellone has been a leader in economic development from the time he was Babylon town supervisor. Wyandanch Rising, once a plan on paper is getting significant traction when in a matter of months will likely have a shovel in the ground. Supervisor Rich Schaffer and Babylon IDA CEO Robert Stricoff have continued to promote aggressive policies that have been an asset to the town's economy. In Patchogue mayor Paul Pontieri has lead a rebirth of a village by adding attractive rental units and mixed-use developments in the village's downtown adding new restaurant goers and shoppers to the now filled storefronts along Main St. The LIRR's second track will allow for more efficient movement across Suffolk and will provide added support to Transit Orientated Development (TOD) along those lines.
Suffolk County through a close partnership between county executive Bellone, economic development commissioner Joanne Minieri and the Suffolk County IDA has been innovative in its approach to retaining and growing the county's workforce.
The IDA's new aggressive tax policies is giving the county a competitive edge by being able to support businesses that are making significant investments back into their company, hiring new employees and growing Suffolk's economy. Now businesses will be more apt to "Think Suffolk First" when they are considering an expansion, or being lured away by out of state governors.
Creating a pro-business environment for local start-ups is of key importance to the IDA. Continuing that trend the IDA recently held a "Start-Up Connect" event bringing 300 entrepreneurs, investors and government officials together at a fun, cutting edge venue to network and share ideas. Fostering the growth of start-ups can lead to creating a crop of home grown major employers of the future. That is why the IDA has embraced its dynamic entrepreneurial community by rolling out a new "Boost" program that provides a low cost, flexible option for growth companies to obtain IDA benefits.
Being proactive in their outreach to the business community is a hallmark trait of the Suffolk County IDA and the department of economic development. Learn more about the programs, events and projects by visiting the Suffolk County IDA website at www.SuffolkIDA.org.
Anthony Manetta is the CEO & executive director of the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), Hauppauge, N.Y.

Tags: