Members of the Newly Formed Long Island Regional Economic Development Council

Senator Owen H. Johnson joined local leaders at SUNY in Old Westbury for the Governor’s introduction of the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council.  The Regional Council has been assigned the task of coordinating the economic development of Nassau and Suffolk counties and confronting specific economic challenges facing Long Island.  

“ I applaud Governor Cuomo’s creation of the Regional Council made up of our local leaders,” Senator Johnson said.  “By tailoring a strategy for economic development to our specific Long Island community, the Regional Council will be able to address our particular needs and take advantage of our many resources.  Their efforts will keep us on track to ultimately stimulate our local economy and create jobs in our communities.”

The Long Island Regional Council will be led by Stuart Rabinowitz, the President of Hofstra University, and Kevin law, President of the Long Island Association, both serving as Regional Co-Chairs. Membership is comprised of local leaders from business, academia, labor, agriculture, nonprofits, and community-based organizations.  In addition, Nassau and Suffolk County Executives and four Town Supervisors will serve in an ex-officio basis and will participate in discussions and the planning process.

The Long Island Regional Council is one of ten regional councils being created throughout the state to redesign the relationship between the state government and businesses to stimulate regional economic development and create jobs statewide.  The State will align resources and policies, eliminate unnecessary barriers to growth and prosperity, and streamline the delivery of government services and programs to help the Regional Councils carry out their plans for development.

Through a new Consolidated Funding Application that combines resources from dozens of existing programs, the Regional Councils can now apply for $1 billion in state funding for projects they determine to be part of their regional strategy.

Previously, New York State’s economic development efforts have been managed through dozens of separate state and local agencies.

To learn more about the Regional Councils, please visit www.nyopenforbusiness.com


Photograph left to right:  Stuart Rabinowitz, President of Hofstra University and Co-Chair of the Long Island Regional Council; John R. Durso, President of Long Island Federation of Labor and Member of the Long Island Regional Council; Owen H. Johnson, Senator; and Kevin Law, President of the Long Island Association and Co-Chair of the Long Island Regional Council.