Despite challenges, many L.I. employers expect to boost hiring in 2023

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Moderator Michael Sabatini, a Partner with Citrin Cooperman, third from left, poses with panelists, from left: Renee Daniel Flager, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Long Island; former HIA-LI Chair Rich Humann, President and CEO of H2M architects + engineers; MaryAnne Hyland, Dean of the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business at Adelphi University; Kevin O’Connor, CEO of Dime Community Bank; and Dr. Patrick O’Shaughnessy, President and CEO of Catholic Health Services.

While local business leaders grapple with such challenges as inflation, supply chain issues, and employee recruitment and retention, many still plan to increase the size of their workforces this year.

That’s a key finding of “The Long Island Economic Survey 2023,” a new survey of more than 200 Long Island executives. It was commissioned by HIA-LI and conducted by Adelphi University and the Citrin Cooperman accounting firm.

Survey results were discussed by a panel of leading regional executives on February 15 before more than 250 attendees at HIA-LI’s 29th Annual Business Summit held at the Hamlet Golf & Country Club in Commack. We were pleased to have Michael Sabatini, a Partner with Citrin Cooperman, moderate the panel.

Executives were asked to identify up to three of “the most important issues facing Long Island today.” Inflation and taxes were each cited by 22 percent of respondents. One-third identified workforce-related challenges as a top issue.

Yet despite their concerns over hiring and retention, virtually half of respondents (49 percent) expect to increase their employee rolls in 2023. Thirty-one percent of all respondents expects to augment their Long Island-based workforce, four percent will do more hiring outside of Long Island, and 14 percent plan to expand their workforce both on and outside Long Island. Forty-three percent anticipate no increase in staff size. Eight percent were unsure.

Some four out of ten were optimistic about their projected revenue and net profits next year, while half expected level growth. Ten percent expect a decline in revenues this year.

Similarly, more than a third (38 percent) of participants expected to expand their Long Island-based businesses in 2023.  

How concerned were local executives about the effects of inflation on their business? Most (62 percent) were “very concerned.” Thirty-one percent were “somewhat concerned,” and seven percent were “slightly concerned.”      

Sixty-five percent of respondents said they were affected by disruptions to the global supply chain. Most respondents expect supply chain issues to persist for another six months to two years.

Who took part in the survey?

A large majority of respondents represented businesses generating less than $100 million in revenue. More than three-quarters had been in operation 20 years or more. While respondents came from many industries, those with the largest representation were professional services (21 percent) and manufacturing, distribution and retail (17 percent). Most respondents (52 percent) were based in Suffolk County. Ten percent were situated in Nassau County, and 32 percent were based in both counties.

We were grateful for the participation of our panelists at the 29th Annual Business Summit: Kevin O’Connor, CEO of Dime Community Bank; Renee Daniel Flager, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Long Island; former HIA-LI Chair Rich Humann, President and CEO of H2M architects + engineers; MaryAnne Hyland, Dean of the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business at Adelphi University; and Dr. Patrick O’Shaughnessy, President and CEO of Catholic Health Services.   

Newly elected Rep. Nick LaLota was also present to greet attendees.

How closely does your point of view match up with those reflected in our survey?

I urge you to see for yourself.

“The Long Island Economic Survey 2023” can be found here.

Water, Energy, Housing, and Infrastructure Top the List of Legislative Priorities for 2023

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From left: State Senator Mario Mattera; HIA-LI President & CEO Terri Alessi-Miceli; Congressman Nick LaLota; Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim; Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick; Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter; Joe Campolo, HIA-LI Board Member and Partner, Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP; and, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine.

It’s essential that our public policymakers have a proper grasp of the needs of the regional business community. And one of the most effective ways to achieve this is through hands-on, real-time interaction between government leaders and businesspeople as well as non-profit leadership.

Throughout the year, HIA-LI works hard to create opportunities for this kind of in-person interaction. And we hosted such an engagement earlier this month at our 45th Annual Meeting and Legislative Program. It was held January 13 at the Radisson Hotel in Hauppauge.

No less than eight elected officials from the federal, state, county and town levels were present at the breakfast forum, which was attended by some 300 people and was moderated by HIA-LI board member Joe Campolo, managing partner with Campolo Middleton & McCormick, LLP.

Water. Energy. Housing, Infrastructure. These were the topics many of our speakers returned to again and again. How can our officials shape policies that ensure a strong, long-term economic future for Nassau and Suffolk counties?

Let me offer a quick, thumbnail summary of some of the key points raised by each of our panelists:

Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado was present via a video presentation. He highlighted the state’s investment strategy for Long Island, including Governor Kathy Hochul’s underwriting of a feasibility study to examine the possible relocation of the terminal at Long Island MacArthur Airport closer to the Ronkonkoma LIRR station. He also reinforced the value of the state’s investments in offshore wind energy. Mr. Delgado underscored the merits of the new State Office of Strategic Workforce Development he has set in motion along with the Governor. He also cited the administration’s efforts to expand housing development as a critical way to attract and retain a competitive regional employment base.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone concentrated most of his remarks on the issue of water quality – and on the need to not only create a county wastewater district – but also to find the right way to fund it.

I also had the privilege of speaking at the event, where I had a chance to emphasize the massive economic impact of The Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge as we mark our momentous 45th anniversary in 2023. To help promote the Park’s growth, we’ll be initiating an ambitious branding program, including vanity flags and new signage. I also cited Circuit Transit’s battery-powered rideshare initiative that will create new commuting opportunities for the Park’s 55,000 employees.

Newly elected Congressman Nick LaLota spoke about the need for honesty and integrity in government, and also focused attention on two themes: economic growth and public safety.

State Senator Mario Mattera called upon policymakers to fight for “local jobs for local people.” The senator also advocated for a balanced energy policy, as well as for sewer systems that will “finally bring the Town of Smithtown into the 21st century.”

Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick expressed concerns over the ultimate costs associated with the Climate Action Council Scoping Plan recently adopted by state officials. He also agreed with the Governor that the state needs more housing. But he said that it shouldn’t be done at the expense of abandoning “local control.”

Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter urged government to “get out of the way and let businesses do what they do best.” Public officials should promote incentives – and use “carrots, not sticks.”

Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine urged business advocates to focus their attention on tax policy as a primary concern, inclusive of “real estate, sales, personal, and business taxes.” He also stated that “the one thing that will improve productivity in America is investing in infrastructure.”

Finally, Town of Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim echoed the same sentiment, asserting that investment in infrastructure is the key to “allowing Long Island to move forward.”

We are committed to working with everyone in the HIA-LI family to help secure a bright and promising future for our Park – and for Long Island.

Attend the 12th Annual ‘Women Leading the Way’ Panel on Friday, November 18 in Melville

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Women are an economic powerhouse for America, owning 10.1 million firms generating $1.9 trillion in sales and employing 13 million people.

Yet women face special challenges in reinforcing their business leadership. They must strike the right work/life balance, ensure their voices are heard, and carefully navigate their career paths.

On Friday morning, November 18, a panel of high-achieving Long Island businesswomen will explore such challenges at our 12th Annual “Women Leading the Way” Executive Leadership Program at the Hilton Long Island at 598 Broadhollow Road in Melville. We’d like you to be there with us.

Running from 8:00 am to 10:30 am, the panel will be moderated by Domenique Camacho-Moran, a Partner with Farrell Fritz PC. Invited panelists include Christine M. Riordan, President of Adelphi University; Anne Shybunko-Moore, CEO and Owner of GSE Dynamics and an HIA-LI board member; Andrea Principe, Director for the Northeast Division of Chase Business Banking; Theresa Sanders, President and CEO of the Urban League of Long Island; and Kristen Reynolds, President and CEO of Discover Long Island.

And while we’re on the topic, here are some recommendations for improving work/life balance:

First, working women should try to make space for self-care, says Lianna Bass, a New York City-based journalist, who suggests the following:

  • Eat healthy meals
  • Stay hydrated
  • Get enough sleep
  • Exercise regularly

A second set of recommendations come from the American Psychological Association. Among other suggestions, they recommend that working women “become more organized:”  

  • Create a structured but flexible schedule
  • Establish dedicated spaces for work versus play
  • Arrange task lists by priority, allowing for flexibility

And a third suggestion comes from a February 2021 New York Times column titled “Remember: What You Do is Not Who You Are.” It cites tips from Alison Green, founder of the advice blog Ask a Manager. She offered this recommendation for people struggling to separate work life and personal life: “start putting the boundaries in place.”

This could mean not answering your phone after your workday has ended, or not engaging with an email or text message while you’re taking a 15-minute mental health break during the day.

Often, Green says, “When people just start carving out those boundaries for themselves, they discover it’s fine. Nothing happens . . . no one even notices.”

The Executive Leadership event will include a craft fair. Contact Halle Grossman at hgrossman@hia-li.org for vendor opportunities.

For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Anthony Forgione at aforgione@hia-li.org. Sponsors to date are: City National Bank, Custom Computer Specialists, Farrell Fritz PC, Island Harvest, Mark Grossman Public Relations, and People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union.

Tickets are $50 for HIA-LI members and $65 for non-members. To register, visit www.hia-li.org or call 631-543-5555.

Business Awards Translate into Business Expansion

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Businesses on Long Island compete in a huge economy that’s approximately $200 billion in size. In a market of this magnitude, only the highest-quality firms will come out on top.

As advocates for our regional business community, HIA-LI actively recognizes the importance of showcasing the achievements of our top-performing companies. In this spirit, we’ll be hosting our 28th annual “Business Achievement Awards” event on Tuesday, September 20, where HIA-LI will shine a spotlight on “the best in the business.” 

The value and meaning of a business award runs a lot more deeply than you might first think. A business award represents far more than a plaque on the wall.

First, remember that award recipients are genuinely the best.

Nominees are closely evaluated on a number of criteria: the quality of their employee relations, their regional business engagement, their profitability, and their vision for their future. Award selection also takes into account the nominees’ recent accomplishments, their innovative processes, their market growth, their industry leadership, and their ability to overcome adversity.

Second, we learn pathways to business success by scrutinizing the strategies adopted by successful companies.

HIA-LI’s “Business Achievement Awards” program is consciously designed to educate Long Island’s business community at-large about the winning practices of award recipients. How do they maintain employee morale and loyalty? How do they cope with the steady onset of new technologies? How did they maintain their competitive leadership amid the COVID crisis?

Award programs enable your firm to compare itself to competitors – and to explore where you stand based on a third-party evaluation. You can examine the work other award winners are doing and see whether any aspects of their work can be leveraged within your own enterprise.

Third, winning a business award can translate into business expansion.

A research study by the Georgia Institute of Technology showed that corporate award winners had 37 percent higher sales growth than their peers.

A study by British Quality Foundation uncovered similar numbers, with smaller award-winning companies experiencing a 63 percent increase in operating income and a 39 percent growth in sales. Large, award-winning companies benefited from a 48 percent increase in operating income and 37 percent growth in sales when compared to non-award winners.

And fourth, members of the awards committee are sometimes willing to provide helpful, informal feedback to individual nominees about the content and quality of their submissions after the awards have been announced. This feedback can prove valuable in shaping a nominee’s self-improvement program. 

Here are event details: 

  • HIA-LI 28th Annual Business Achievement Awards
    Recognizing Excellence in Long Island Business 
    Tuesday, September 20, 2022
    11:30am – 2:30pm

The honors, which are awarded competitively, cover four categories: Large Business, Small Business, Not-for-Profit, and Rookie of the Year. Here are this year’s finalists:

Large Business Finalists 

Small Business Finalists

Not-For-Profit Finalists

Rookie of the Year Finalists

Please mark your calendars and join me and HIA-LI Chair Rich Humann on September 20 as we recognize the best of the best…and learn from them!

Government Offers Immediate Funding to Promote Business Success

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From left: Rosalie Drago, Commissioner, Suffolk County Department of Labor; Kelly Murphy, Deputy Executive Director, Suffolk County IDA, and; Cara Longworth, Regional Director, Empire State Development.

The public sector stands ready to provide immediate financial assistance to help Long Island companies achieve their goals and fulfill their workforce needs.

HIA-LI works closely with officials at all levels of government to bring these resources to the attention of our members and to help members take advantage of a wide range of public-sector assistance programs.

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with three government officials whose agencies have an outstanding track record of success in providing financial support to local businesses. They are:

These three entities are true partners of Long Island business. Let’s take a quick look at what each has to offer:

Empire State Development isthe state’s main arm for economic development. It encourages business growth and investment, job growth, and a diversified economy through loans, grants, tax credits, marketing, minority/women-owned business support, workforce development, technical support, export assistance, COVID support, and other business-friendly tools.

Long Island’s Regional Economic Development Council channels State resources pursuant to a regional strategic plan. And to make the process highly efficient, Cara’s office uses a “Consolidated Funding Application.” It enables businesses to tap into multiple sources of funds through a single application

The Suffolk County Department of Labor supports business growth through recruitment services and hiring incentives, and also with economic and labor market data. The department serves workers directly through job training, job development, placement, and supportive services.

While Empire State Development can provide funding for businesses to create jobs, the County Labor Department’s key role is to draw talent to companies and to get them ready for work.

Rosalie wants to hear from business about gaps in the workforce. Her agency’s funds are then used to train the talent pool. She works with local training providers – including local colleges and trade schools – to train existing workers and the emerging workforce for available jobs.

The Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency serves the entire county except the towns of Brookhaven, Islip, Riverhead, and Babylon, which have their own IDAs. Suffolk IDA promotes and attracts job and recreational opportunities. It targets companies wishing to remain or expand in Suffolk, or to move into the county. The types of industries the IDA generally helps are in manufacturing, distribution, R&D, and warehousing in addition to energy projects and multifamily housing.

Kelly’s agency, which often enhances its aid packages with incentives from PSEG and National Grid, offers three main forms of assistance: reductions in the mortgage recording tax, sales tax exemptions, and property tax exemptions.

For a link to the video of my conversation with these three remarkable women, click here. You can also listen to the conversation on my podcast, “Business Steps Up,” by clicking here.

And here’s their contact information:

Empire State Development (ESD)
Cara Longworth, Regional Director
LIREDC@esd.ny.gov
631-435-0717

Suffolk County Department of Labor (DOL)
Rosalie Drago, Commissioner
rosalie.drago@suffolkcountyny.gov
diane.lachapelle@suffolkcountyny.gov
631-853-6600

Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA)
Kelly Murphy, Deputy Executive Director
kelly.murphy@suffolkcountyny.gov
631-853-4802

I urge HIA-LI members and all local businesses to learn about the financing and services these agencies offer and to contact them. They really want you to hear from you!

Folks, this is “money on the table” that will help your business succeed. Take advantage of it!

Trade Show Proves We’re Back to Business!

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No matter the industry or the business sector – and no matter whether you’re a for-profit or not-for-profit enterprise – there’s nothing like real-world, face-to-face networking to help reinforce existing relationships and develop new relationships.

More than 2,000 participants walked the floor at the HIA-LI 34th Annual Business Trade Show and Conference on May 26.

And that leads to new business!

We were all reminded of these basic truths on May 26 at our 34th Annual Business Trade Show and Conference at Suffolk Community College in Brentwood. More than 2,000 business executives joined us to interact with more than 150 exhibitors representing just about every industry sector on Long Island: technology, energy and environment, manufacturing, finance, hospitality, healthcare, media and advertising, education, government, workforce development, and more.

The event began with a sold-out, all-star breakfast panel moderated by Marc Herbst of the Long Island Contractors’ Association. Panelists included Scott Burman of Engel Burman, Joe Campolo of Campolo Middleton & McCormick, Jim Coughlan of TRITEC, and Richard Zapolski of Cameron Engineering.

The panel zeroed in on one of the most exciting and ambitious projects taking shape on Long Island today: Midway Crossing in Ronkonkoma.

The $2.8-billion, public/private project would create a transportation-oriented hub comprised of 1.4 million square feet of office space geared toward bio-tech, research, healthcare and STEM education. It would also include a convention center with a 108,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 30,000-square-foot ballroom, and 20,000 square feet of meeting rooms.

Plans for Midway Crossing also encompass a 300-room hotel, 250,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and a new, 300,000-square-foot terminal at Islip MacArthur Airport that would connect to the Ronkonkoma LIRR station.

Panelists agreed that Midway Crossing stands to be a transformational project for the Long Island economy, generating thousands of jobs and helping to better integrate Long Island’s transportation infrastructure on a big-picture basis – and for the long term.

Making Midway Crossing a reality is going to require energetic advocacy on the part of the Long Island business community, and HIA-LI – a long-time supporter of Islip’s Long Island MacArthur Airport – plans to play an active part.

Other projects discussed include growth at the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge, the Ronkonkoma Hub, downtown Bay Shore, and downtown Long Beach – all vital projects that give young professionals options to live, work, and play on Long Island.

Why is this important? Because studies show that 67 percent of young adults ages 18 to 35 and looking to leave Long Island within the next five years. And by 2025 – just three short years from now – 75 percent of our workforce will need to be young professionals.  These projects are critical to stop the brain drain that’s on the horizon.

Also, for the first time, our Trade Show featured a dedicated Manufacturing Pavilion focused on specific issues and challenges facing manufacturers.

And how do we know it was a success? We asked exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees to complete surveys that would allow us to quantify their level of satisfaction with the event. And, on a scale of one to ten, respondents gave the Trade Show a robust ranking of 8.5.

Thank you to everyone who helped contribute to the success of our 34th Annual Business Trade Show and Conference. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Despite Challenges, the Long Island and National Economies Are Set to Grow

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It was wonderful to be back in person at the HIA-LI Economic Summit. On March 25, business leaders, colleagues, and friends joined us at the Radisson in Hauppauge for our 28th Annual Summit, where a panel of experts offered their economic predictions for Long Island and the country.

Dr. Don Levy, Director at Sienna College Research Institute, summarized the results of the PKF O’Connor Davies 2022 Economic Survey. Among the 270 CEOs who participated, 59 percent said that the economy on Long Island was better than it was a year ago, and 61 percent expected improvement during 2022. Within their industries, 50 percent described conditions as more favorable than they were last year, and 56 percent anticipated an upswing in 2022. Normalized against historic data, these four results indicate a confidence rating of 6.8 out of 10, up from 6.5 a year ago.

Challenges include the continuing impact of COVID (cited by 55 percent of CEOs), inflation (53 percent), and rising supplier costs (43 percent). Worker supply is another: “Only one out of five say that they can find the people they need to step in and make a fruitful contribution right away,” remarked Levy.

Bob Quarte, a Partner at PKF O’Connor Davies who is also HIA-LI Board Treasurer, moderated the panel discussion. Noting the challenges that have arisen since the completion of the survey in early January — the war in Ukraine, a stock market correction, rising interest rates, and spiraling gas prices — he asked the panelists to describe their confidence in the economy and in their business sectors.

“As businesses get busier, healthcare gets busier,” stated Dr. Patrick O’Shaughnessy, President and CEO of Catholic Health Services. “I don’t just mean sick care. I mean well care, and that includes important screenings, keeping you healthy, getting ahead of you having a problem that causes more of an impact. I believe we’re moving forward in the right direction. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to have blips along the way, but I’m optimistic.”

Rich Humann, President and CEO of H2M Architects + Engineers and HIA-LI Board Chair, said that despite the national energy strategy that “continues to tip on a scale,” he is also optimistic. “As we recover, the commitment to infrastructure, the commitment to dollars, is coming from the federal government. Although there’s clearly an inflationary effect of that, nothing moves us in a strong economic direction more than a really robust investment in infrastructure.”

The national economy will do well in the long term, predicted Kevin O’Connor, CEO of Dime Community Bank and HIA-LI Board Secretary, but it will experience blips in the short term. “The Fed’s ability to navigate a soft landing does not have a lot of historical success. We may feel some pain that might be necessary to end some of the inflationary pressures.”

Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College and an HIA-LI Board Member, declared that he’s “remarkably optimistic” despite the difficulties created by the pandemic. “We know that our ability to engage students, to provide hands-on workforce training that replicates the conditions that students are going to find when they’re on the job, is going to be supported by the continuing economic recovery, and the continuing recovery from COVID.”

“Things go in cycles,” added Quarte, summing up the panelists’ perspectives. “We might be in a difficult cycle right now, but we’ve proved we’ve always pulled through it.”

Download a copy of the survey here.

Cusack to be Special Guest at February 8 Fireside Chat

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Clare Cusack, President and CEO of the New York Bankers Association, will be featured at HIA-LI’s February 8 “Executive Insight – Fireside Chat” at the Hilton Long Island in Melville.

It’s time for the women of Long Island to fulfill our untapped potential as business leaders – and we have an event coming up on February 8 that will provide insights into how women can get ahead in business.

HIA-LI is committed to the advancement of female executives in Long Island. We launched a Women’s Initiative in 2010 to help us focus our energies on this goal.

The numbers are encouraging. The census bureau had calculated that the number of women-owned businesses nationwide increased 21 percent between 2014 and 2019, while the number of all businesses overall increased by only nine percent.

And it can’t be denied that women in business are a major economic engine. According to a  2019 report from American Express, more than ten million women-owned firms in America were generating $1.9 trillion in sales, while employing 13 million people.

But females often confront hurdles in striking the right work-life balance. We often need to look harder to obtain the right kind of mentoring. And the pandemic further complicated women’s pathways to business success.

OK, so what’s coming up on February 8?

That’s the day we’ll have a chance to hear from one of New York State’s most influential woman business leaders, Clare Cusack.

On Tuesday, February 8 at 3 pm, we’ll be hosting Clare Cusack, President and CEO of the New York Bankers Association (NYBA), as our featured guest at an “Executive Insight – Fireside Chat” event at the Hilton Long Island at 598 Broadhollow Road in Melville.

Ms. Cusack’s presentation will be moderated by Kevin O’Connor, CEO of Dime Community Bank and a member of HIA-LI’s board of directors.

Clare Cusack is the first female to lead the NYBA, the premier trade association for the banking industry in New York.   

Clare Cusack and Kevin O’Connor will discuss one of the most challenging and transformative periods in the banking industry. We expect them to tackle such topics as the interest rate outlook, fintech, the remote workplace, and the economic development impact of the financial services sector.

But in addition to banking topics, we’ll be asking Ms. Cusack about her status as one the Empire State’s most prominent female business executives. Did she face challenges because of her gender? Can she offer advice to up-and-coming businesswomen?

Founded in 1894, the NYBA is the state’s preeminent provider of legislative and regulatory services to a unified banking industry. It also provides educational programs, public relations, political action, and member services geared to enhance the profitability and stature of New York’s banking industry. NYBA members together employ nearly 200,000 New Yorkers, hold $2 trillion in deposits, and extend nearly $70 billion in home and small business loans.

HIA-LI members and non-members may click here to register for the event. Companies wishing to sponsor the event can contact Anthony Forgione at aforgione@hia-li.org or call 631-543-5355.

Come and hear a true business luminary – and one of our state’s most accomplished female executives!

Women to Talk Business at Friday’s Executive Leadership Event

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Women are steadily increasing their ranks among business leaders overall.

Yet despite growing numbers, female entrepreneurs still face challenges in the corporate workplace.

They confront hurdles in striking the right work-life balance. They often need to look harder to obtain the right kind of mentoring. And the pandemic further complicated women’s pathways to business success.

What are the solutions? What best practices can we point to? And how does this all play out on Long Island?

This Friday morning, November 19, we’ll have an opportunity to get some answers.

A panel of high-achieving Long Island businesswomen will talk through issues like this at HIA-LI’s 11th Annual “Women Leading the Way” executive leadership event. It takes place at the LGBT Network at 125 Kennedy Drive, Suite 100 in Hauppauge. 

The panel, running from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, will be moderated by Domenique Camacho-Moran, a Partner with Farrell Fritz PC. Panelists include Lisa Mirabile, President and CEO of Vertigo Media Group; Karen Boorshtein, President and CEO of Family Service League; Lauren Nichols, President of 3G Warehouse, Inc.; and Natalie Wright, Suffolk County’s Commissioner of Economic Development and Planning.

Happily, the numbers for women executives are encouraging. Looking at census bureau data, the number of women-owned businesses nationwide increased 21 percent between 2014 and 2019, while all businesses increased nine percent. More than ten million women-owned firms generated $1.9 trillion in sales and employed 13 million people.

The idea that HIA-LI should host an annual forum to tackle woman-centered business issues was originally suggested by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in 2010.

“Women Leading the Way” also features a craft fair.

Attendees may take part in person or via Zoom. The registration fee is $50 for in-person attendance, and $25 for virtual participation.

Vendors wishing to exhibit at the craft fair should contact HIA-LI at 631-543-5355.

The event is sponsored by Farrell Fritz, PC; People’s Alliance Federal Credit Union; Campolo, Middleton McCormick, LLP; Brookhaven National Laboratory; the LGBT Network; Signwave; City National Bank; LITimes.org; Mark Grossman Public Relations; WSHU Public Radio; and IHOP. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Anthony Forgione at aforgione@hia-li.org.

Per CDC guidelines, those not fully vaccinated will be required to wear a face mask.

To register, go to https://www.hia-li.org/events/hia-lis-11th-annual-womens-leadership-program/ or call 631-543-5355. I look forward to seeing you then!

Action By HIA-LI Members Helps Secure Long Island’s Future

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Amid the doldrums of the COVID-19 pandemic, HIA-LI members have good reason to pat themselves on the back this year.

Why? Because our organization’s members played a central role in advocating for a public policy victory that will serve, according to Newsday, as a “building block for our region’s future.”

That victory occurred in August, when the Smithtown Town Board voted unanimously to greenlight a “zoning overlay” allowing mixed-used development at the 1,650-acre Long Island Innovation Park in Hauppauge (LI-IPH), formerly known as Hauppauge Industrial Park. The idea for a “zoning overlay” had arisen from a 160-page strategic analysis issued in April 2019. The analysis, commissioned by HIA-LI in cooperation with the Suffolk IDA and others, had enumerated ways to strengthen the Park’s future.

The Town’s decision came in the aftermath of an organized campaign – undertaken by HIA-LI members and many others – to help educate Board members regarding the merits of the change.

Thanks to new development opportunities made possible through the revised zoning rules­­­, one of Long Island’s most respected real estate developers, TRITEC of East Setauket, stepped forward in November and proposed to build a $125-million, mixed-use building with 335 apartments in the Park. The venue would be a development parcel at 49 Wireless Boulevard that TRITEC owns through a subsidiary. The “zoning overlay” opens the door for similar mixed-use projects at twelve other Park sites.

Long Island municipalities like the Town of Smithtown are recognizing the need to take bold steps to promote regional economic development and to help stem the hemorrhaging of young workers from Nassau and Suffolk. 

The Town – under the leadership of Supervisor Ed Wehrheim – understands that mixed-use development like this represents a “building block” for creating a better tomorrow for our area. Such measures boost our economic competitiveness by supporting workforce attraction and retention. In July 2019, a Rauch Foundation survey conducted for Newsday found that 67 percent of Long Islanders aged 18 to 34 years planned to leave the region within five years.

Can you imagine? Such an exodus would seriously disable the Long Island economy and make it highly difficult for Park employers to hire and keep a skilled workforce.

In a November 29 editorial, Newsday called the new Smithtown policy “a prime example of what’s possible” when Long Island municipalities act creatively to re-envision our region’s future.

So, bravo to the members of HIA-LI for helping to create a new model for fortifying Long Island’s long-term competitiveness.  And a special thanks to our LI-IPH Task Force, headed by HIA-LI Board Chair Joe Campolo, Managing Partner at Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP.

Read the complete Newsday editorial here.