Hauppauge Industrial Park

A New Era of Health and Productivity at the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge

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At Catholic Health Ambulatory Care at Commack are, from left: Declan Doyle, President, Catholic Health’s St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, Terri Alessi-Miceli, President and CEO, HIA-LI; Anthony Forgione, Business Development Director, HIA-LI; and, Randy Howard, COO, Catholic Health’s St. Catherine of Siena Hospital. St. Francis Heart Center is also at this location.

At HIA-LI, we are always looking for ways to further enhance the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge (LI-IPH) and make it a thriving hub for business and innovation. I am excited to share with you our latest collaboration with Catholic Health, a partnership that promises to significantly boost workforce productivity and well-being within the largest innovation park in the northeast.

Enhancing Workforce Health and Productivity

Our collaboration with Catholic Health aligns perfectly with the recommendations from the Hauppauge Industrial Park Opportunity Analysis. The study highlighted the need for amenities that create a more dynamic live-work environment and promotes business growth. By introducing features that improve health and quality of life, we are paving the way for a more vibrant and productive workforce.

Comprehensive Health Services at Your Doorstep

What makes this collaboration possible is Catholic Health’s Ambulatory Care Center at Commack, conveniently located adjacent to the LI-IPH. This state-of-the-art facility will offer LI-IPH employees access to highly skilled physicians from multiple clinical specialties, all in one easily accessible location. Whether it’s primary care, accredited rehabilitation, or specialized services such as orthopedics and radiology, HIA-LI employees will have top-notch healthcare right at their doorstep.

Our employees will also benefit from a range of services provided by St. Francis Heart Center-affiliated physicians, comprehensive imaging services at St. Catherine Diagnostic Imaging, and much more. This proximity to high-quality healthcare is a tremendous asset for companies considering a move into the Park, as it underscores our commitment to the health and well-being of our workforce.

A healthy workforce is not just beneficial for individual well-being but is also a cornerstone of economic growth. As Carol A. Allen, Chairperson of the HIA-LI Board, aptly noted, “A healthy workforce is a productive workforce, and a productive workforce fortifies the Long Island economy.” Through our partnership with Catholic Health, we are taking significant strides to ensure that the businesses and non-profits within the Innovation Park can enhance their competitiveness through improved productivity.

A Visionary Partnership for the Future

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Patrick O’Shaughnessy, CEO of Catholic Health, and Declan Doyle, President of St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, for their visionary leadership in developing this partnership with us. Their dedication to providing compassionate and patient-centered care aligns seamlessly with our mission at HIA-LI.

During our recent Open House at the Ambulatory Center in Commack, HIA-LI members had the opportunity to tour the facility and meet the medical staff. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees impressed by the state-of-the-art amenities and the quality of care available. This event highlighted the potential of our collaboration to significantly impact the health and productivity of our workforce.

Looking Ahead

This partnership is just the beginning. We anticipate that our collaboration with Catholic Health will lead to more effective workplace health programs and policies among Park employers. The availability of on-site wellness visits, telehealth services, and potential additional programming such as joint health campaigns and employee onboarding services will further enhance the quality of life for our employees.

Joe Campolo, Chair of HIA-LI’s Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge Task Force, expressed it well when he said, “This dynamic partnership has the real potential to reduce health risks and improve the quality of life for thousands of Long Island workers.” As we move forward, we are committed to exploring new opportunities and initiatives that will benefit our members and the broader community.

In conclusion, our collaboration with Catholic Health is a testament to our commitment to fostering a thriving, healthy, and productive environment at the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge. We look forward to the positive impact this partnership will have on Park employees, our members, and the Long Island economy as a whole.

The Pulse of Progress: Exploring the Transformative Impact of the LI-IPH on Long Island’s Economy

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As the President and CEO of HIA-LI, I am proud that HIA-LI continues to serve as the steward and advocate for the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge (LI-IPH).

One important recommendation that came out of the LI-IPH’s April 2019 Sustainability Study was that we should take a serious look at integrating workforce housing into the Park. It’s a concept in keeping with the “live-work-play” model that has worked so successfully in other Long Island communities such as Patchogue, Ronkonkoma, Farmingdale, and Bay Shore.

To that end, we teamed up with the Long Island Builders Institute (LIBI) and convened a March 28 meeting of residential developers to discuss opportunities in the Park. Joining me at the roundtable discussion was Michael Florio, LIBI’s CEO; Joe Campolo, Managing Partner at Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP, an HIA-LI Board Member, and Chair of our Economic Development Task Force; Peter Hans, the Town of Smithtown Planning Director; and Cara Longworth, Vice President and Long Island Regional Director of Empire State Development.

Cara Longworth discussed the Long Island Investment Fund (LIIF), which focuses on large-scale, transformative projects that will have lasting impacts on the bi-county region. Eligibility for the fund was expanded last year to include infrastructure for transformative multi-family housing development projects to support regional industry growth.

She added that municipalities that achieve the State’s “Pro-Housing Communities” designation – because of their hard work to address the housing crisis – will receive priority in their applications for funding streams like LIIF.

Peter Hans spoke about zoning issues, specifically the town’s overlay district – approved in 2019 – which now permits residential development on certain parcels in the LI-IPH depending on size and location. Right now, Peter said there are 13 parcels eligible for mixed use/residential development.

The dialogue continued on April 16 when we welcomed a distinguished panel to discuss the immense opportunities at the LI-IPH. This event – titled “Why Do Business in the Largest Innovation Park in the Northeast” – was held at the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center in Commack. It underscored our collective commitment to fostering economic growth and innovation at the LI-IPH.

The numbers are worth repeating: LI-IPH houses 1,350 companies who employ 55,000 workers and generate $13 billion in economic output. In short, one in 20 jobs on Long Island are dependent on the fiscal vitality of the LI-IPH. That’s impressive.

The morning began with inspiring opening remarks from Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine; Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter; and Smithtown Councilman Tom Lohmann, the town board’s liaison to the LI-IPH. Their insights set the stage for a robust dialogue on the strategic advantages of doing business in the Park.

Moderated by Joe Campolo, the subsequent panel discussion featured key stakeholders including Kelly Murphy, Executive Director and CEO of the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA); Mike Narula, CEO of Orbic, a firm new to LI-IPH that will be bringing a thousand new jobs from India; alongside Angie Carpenter and Tom Lohmann. Each panelist provided a unique perspective on the evolution and future of the LI-IPH.

Our panelists shared exciting developments within LI-IPH, including the sale of a $21 million vacant data center to Links Logistics, the transformation of a $5.3 million deal into a new headquarters for E+M Logistics, and a $44 million investment by Venture One Acquisition to create new industrial space. These investments not only demonstrate the economic vitality of LI-IPH but also highlight our adaptability and forward-thinking approach to growing our infrastructure and meeting the business needs of park tenants as well as the Long Island region.

Joe Campolo’s presentation focused on the transformation of LI-IPH from a traditional industrial park to a thriving innovation hub. He outlined the concept of an “Edge City,” which integrates business, entertainment, and living spaces, allowing for a dynamic community where individuals can live, work, and thrive without long commutes. This concept has turned LI-IPH into a model for modern economic development.

The Suffolk County IDA has been instrumental in supporting this transformation. Kelly Murphy noted that over the past six years, the IDA has facilitated significant investments that have led to job creation and retention, enhancing the economic fabric of Suffolk County.

Over the past three years alone, the Suffolk IDA has provided support to 21 projects in the LI-IPH, with a total private capital investment of more than $527 million, a total of nearly 5,000 jobs created or retained, with an annual payroll in excess of $350 million.

The Suffolk IDA’s efforts underscore the powerful impact of strategic governmental partnerships in regional economic development.

Council Lohmann spoke about a recent HIA-LI/Town of Smithtown partnership that saw the installation of over 400 sponsored flags throughout the LI-IPH, a visual representation of our pride and collective identity as a major economic engine. This branding effort – combined with new entryway signage thanks to the town – helps solidify the park’s presence in the community and beyond, reinforcing our role as a key player in Long Island’s economic landscape.

Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead

As we look to the future, LI-IPH continues to be a beacon of innovation and economic prowess. Our ongoing initiatives, such as the development of workforce housing and infrastructure improvements, are poised to enhance our competitiveness and attractiveness to businesses and professionals alike. The discussions held during these two events are a testament to the collaborative spirit that drives our success.

We are grateful to all attendees, panelists, and partners who contributed to this enriching discussion. Together, we are setting the stage for continued prosperity and improvement at the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge.

For more information about the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge, go to www.li-iph.org. For information about HIA-LI and our initiatives, please visit www.hia-li.org. Let’s continue to innovate and grow together, building a thriving economic future for Long Island.

Elevating the Innovation Park with 400 Flags

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From left, Smithtown Director of Traffic Safety Mitchell Crowley; Councilman Thomas Lohmann; HIA-LI CEO Terri Alessi-Miceli; Long Island Cares CEO and HIA-LI Board Member Paule Pachter; and, Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.

When you’re a part of something as impactful as the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge (LI-IPH), you often think about how to better tell its story. I’m excited to share that we’ve taken a significant step forward in doing just that. We recently installed over 400 flags on light poles throughout the park. But why, you might ask, is this such a big deal?

The Importance of Branding

First, let’s talk about the park itself. Spanning 1,400 acres and housing 1,350 businesses, the LI-IPH is a cornerstone of Long Island’s economy. It employs some 55,000 people and contributes an impressive $13 billion to the annual GDP. However, it became apparent through an Opportunity Analysis conducted a few years ago that despite being an economic powerhouse, we needed to do more to elevate its public profile.

The Flag Initiative

That’s where HIA-LI, the organization I’m proud to lead, stepped in, together with the wonderful support of the Town of Smithtown, whose highway workers installed the flags. We decided to give our park’s identity a bit of a facelift, starting with these flags. These aren’t just any flags; they’re a declaration of our space as an economic engine for Long Island. Businesses within the park even had the chance to purchase their own customized flags, which were snapped up swiftly.

What Lies Ahead

This may seem like a small step, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s a catalyst for future growth. The banners serve as a daily reminder to all who pass through that they’re part of something larger — an innovation hub that not only drives employment but also contributes significantly to the local economy. I firmly believe that reinforcing this identity lays the groundwork for new partnerships and greater achievements.

The park already has an excellent track record when it comes to generating net new dollars for the region, a fact pointed out by the Opportunity Analysis conducted by James Lima Planning + Development. We have an exceptionally high proportion of businesses that trade outside Long Island, multiplying our economic impact.

I must give a special shoutout to Paule Pachter, a valued member of the HIA-LI board and CEO of Long Island Cares, Inc., for suggesting this flag initiative. It’s these kinds of ideas that bring a community together and make it stronger.

In wrapping up, I see these 400-plus flags as a promise — of more to come, of greater things ahead, and of Long Island Innovation Park’s continued role as a linchpin in the economic vitality of our region.

Our Task Force Has Begun Building the Park’s New Future

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We’ve got the vision – and we’ve got the strategy.

And now, we’ve got a blue-ribbon Task Force in place to implement the strategy.

Our goal? The HIA-LI is spearheading a bold expansion of the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge (LI-IPH), formerly known as the Hauppauge Industrial Park.

While our 55,000-employee workforce already delivers $13 billion in annual output, we’ve now identified powerful opportunities for new growth.

With support from the Suffolk County IDA and the Regional Plan Association, HIA-LI commissioned a full-blown “Opportunity Analysis” by James Lima of James Lima Planning + Development, a nationally respected economic development consulting firm.

It found that the Park stood as Long Island’s top source of new, incoming wealth – thanks to our unsurpassed ratio of “tradable” businesses. These are companies whose exports and services attract new dollars into the region.

Tradable industries constitute only 23 percent of the regional economy, well below the 36 percent national average.

But our Park’s ratio is super-high: 58 percent of our workforce represents jobs in tradable industries.

The 160-page Lima assessment pinpointed five expansion strategies: facilitate business growth, attract and retain key knowledge workers, strengthen workforce development, promote innovation, and bolster connections among businesses, government, and institutions.

Happily, our new LI-IPH Task Force has already begun implementing these strategies.

In addition to myself and Joe Campolo, HIA-LI board chairman and managing partner of Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP, its members include:

I applaud our Task Force members for their commitment to the LI-IPH – and to our region’s future.

Let’s enthusiastically support their efforts to usher in a new era of economic vibrancy for Long Island.

It Ain’t Just Exhibit Booths!

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Top photo: The trade show floor. Bottom photo: The executive luncheon panel.

Every May, HIA-LI’s Annual Trade Show and Conference infuses our year-round programming  with a healthy jolt of momentum.

This year’s event, our 31st, was the most successful ever. The May 30 exposition – held at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood – attracted 375 exhibitors and more than 3,000 attendees. It was a joy to see attendees reinforce valuable business relationships on the trade show floor.

One high point was Executive Breakfast keynoter Carl Banks, the former NFL linebacker who earned two Super Bowl championship rings as a New York Giant.

Carl is president of GIII Sports, an apparel company ranking among the top three sportswear licensees in professional sports. He shared lessons for success he had carried from the football field into the business world.

Later, a stellar Executive Luncheon panel was moderated by Mitch Pally, CEO of the Long Island Builders Institute and a huge HIA-LI booster.

Panelist Bob Coughlan, principal with TRITEC Real Estate, updated attendees on the 50-acre Ronkonkoma Hub. His company is master developer of a project Bob calls “one of the East Coast’s best transit-oriented sites.”

In a presentation by David Wolkoff, a principal at Heartland Business Center, guests were briefed on Heartland Town Square, a walkable, 450-acre “smart growth” community unfolding on Brentwood’s former Pilgrim State grounds.

David Pennetta, executive director of Cushman & Wakefield, discussed such novel development strategies as a recent proposal to permit multi-family development within an aging Melville business park.

Village of Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri drew praise from fellow panelists for his community’s precedent-setting, redevelopment makeover, including TRITEC’s $112 million, multi-use “New Village” community.

Panelist Joe Campolo — the Managing Partner at Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP and our HIA-LI board chair — reinforced the upbeat spirit by focusing on the action plan spelled out in the recent “Opportunity Analysis” completed for the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge, the new name of the Hauppauge Industrial Park.

The analysis was sponsored by Suffolk County IDA and the Regional Plan Association – and a Task Force is poised to turn the plan into a reality.

While every panelist acknowledged the urgent need for Long Island to retain the youngest stratum of our workforce, Joe said that the strategic re-creation of our business park would play an instrumental role in keeping young people here.

The energy of a successful trade show – combined with the anticipation we’re all feeling as the Park launches its expansion plans – made for an exciting day!

The Largest Industrial Park in the Northeast Has a New Name – and a Strategy for Long-Term Growth

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HIP press conference 4 24 2019 group shot
From left: Jack Kulka, Lifetime Board Member, HIA-LI; Joe Campolo, Board Chair, HIA-LI; Hon. Ed Wehrheim, Smithtown Supervisor; Hon. Steve Bellone, Suffolk County Executive; Hon. Angie Carpenter, Islip Town Supervisor; Terri Alessi-Miceli, President & CEO, HIA-LI; Kelly Morris, Deputy Executive Director, Suffolk IDA; and, James Lima, President, James Lima Planning + Development.

It’s hard enough figuring out how to grow our businesses and organizations over the next, say, six months . . . or year . . . or even two years.

So, how do we chart a course for growth over the next decade? Or two decades?

Well, we now have clear and specific answers.

First, based on feedback from park occupants, our government partners and our future workforce, we are changing the name of the Hauppauge Industrial Park.

Its new name is the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge with the tagline: “Where Business Meets Innovation.”

As the largest business park in the Northeast, we’re already the unrivaled cornerstone of the Suffolk County economy. This Park is home to 55,000 employees – and our $13 billion of annual output accounts for eight percent of Long Island’s Gross Domestic Product.

Our proven capacity for innovation will be the key to decades of new growth, so innovation is now our middle name.

And what is our blueprint for decades of expansion?

Last year, we assembled the talents of Stony Brook University, the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency, and the Regional Plan Association to compile a comprehensive inventory of the park’s assets.

The Suffolk IDA then brought in James Lima Planning + Development to match up our assets against the anticipated demands of tomorrow’s regional and national economy.

The result: a 167-page report that Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone called a “comprehensive roadmap” that spells out “the building blocks needed to strengthen, expand and attract key industry clusters that will push our innovative economy to the next level.”

The analysis found that we held a big advantage over the rest of Long Island through our powerful contingent of “tradeable” business. “Tradeable” commerce involves goods and services exportable to other locations — and not consumed solely by local markets.

This is a hard-core metric of regional economic development value because it measures an asset’s capacity to serve, in essence, as a “dollar magnet” – and to attract outside wealth into the area.

The Island-wide ratio of “tradeable” business runs only 23 percent, contrasted with a national rate of 36 percent.

But the figure for Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge stands at an impressive 58 percent, over 20 percent higher than the national average.

That’s a platform worth building upon, and one that is destined to elevate the Park’s status as a regional business driver.

The report pinpointed five essential, high-level economic development strategies for the Park to grow and influence the entire Long Island economy:

First, facilitate business growth. Second, strengthen training and workforce development. Third, attract and retain knowledge workers. Fourth, promote innovation and technology transfer. And fifth, fortify connections among business, government and institutions.

“This reimagining of the Park,” says Suffolk IDA chair Theresa Ward, “gets everyone involved in economic development in this region excited because the potential is so real and obtainable.”

With this insightful, five-part game plan in hand, Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge is today equipped to fulfill a growth scenario that will redouble its contributions to our regional economy.

Ambitious? Yes.

And do we have the assets – and the will – to pull it off?

Absolutely!