Senator Lavalle Joins Expansion Celebration at Sheltair

(l-r) Bill McShane, Senior VP Aviation Development & Properties, Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Senator Ken LaValle, Francis S. Gabreski Impersonator

Senator Kenneth P. LaValle was pleased to join the ribbon cutting celebration of SheltAir Aviation’s new building at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach.

“I am encouraged that investments made by private companies are helping grow our economy and create new jobs,” said Senator LaValle.  “The new fixed based operation at SheltAir translates into 45 new jobs for our region.”

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Separate Note:

Senator LaValle has long been a strong advocate of initiatives that create new jobs and enhance our economy. While SheltAir is not located in an Empire Zone, the Gabreski Empire Zone was impacted when the Governor passed legislation to replace the economic development program with the Excelsior plan. 

Senator LaValle voted against the elimination of the Empire Zone Program because of its devastating impact on economic growth of our region.  The Gabreski and EPCAL Empire Zones were not included in the Excelsior Program.  Therefore, businesses enrolled in the Empire Zone program are at risk of losing tax credits and benefits when their individual contracts expire.

Senator LaValle vowed to continue his fight to restore the Empire Zone Program benefits in an effort to protect our region’s economic viability.

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