This week, Long Island Business News published an op-ed by Long Island Builders Institute CEO Mike Florio and me titled “When Business Groups Unite, Communities Win.” You can read the full piece here.
In the column, Mike and I reflect on an important lesson from this year’s Republican primaries in Huntington and Smithtown. At stake were two major initiatives: Huntington’s Melville Town Center Overlay District and Smithtown’s Kings Park revitalization. Both projects were designed to address some of our region’s most pressing challenges—creating affordable workforce housing, bringing vitality back to local downtowns, and supporting jobs in the construction trades.
For decades, there has been a perception that business interests and community interests are at odds. Too often, the debate is framed as “profits versus people.” But the reality is that responsible development and strong communities go hand-in-hand. The Melville and Kings Park projects represent the kind of forward-looking planning that benefits working Long Islanders and strengthens our economy.
Recognizing this, Long Island’s leading business organizations—including HIA-LI, the Long Island Builders Institute, the Long Island Association, the Association for a Better Long Island, the Long Island Contractors Association, and the Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island—came together to speak with one voice. By joining forces, our coalition clarified the stakes for voters and pushed back against misinformation.
The results spoke volumes. Voters supported candidates who stood for progress, workforce housing, and job creation. Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth called the outcome a “victory of truth over lies.” Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim expressed pride in continuing to make his town “a wonderful place to raise a family.” These outcomes reinforce a simple but powerful truth: when business organizations unite, communities benefit.
The lesson extends far beyond these two towns. Long Island still faces significant challenges—housing shortages, aging infrastructure, and the need to retain young talent while supporting middle-class families. None of these issues can be addressed in silos. But when business groups align around shared priorities, our message carries further and our communities grow stronger.
At HIA-LI, we believe collaboration is not just a strategy but a responsibility. By working together, we can advocate for policies that create opportunity, foster innovation, and ensure Long Island remains a place where the next generation can build their future.
Read the full op-ed in Long Island Business News here.
BUSINESS GROWS HERE 