Bellone, Minieri and Manetta Bring Team Approach to Economic Development at IDA; Strategic Partnership with HIA-LI Builds Bridge to Thousands of Long Island Businesses

Hauppauge, NY – August 23, 2012 – In a bold initiative to engage and support Suffolk County businesses, County Executive Steven Bellone, the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and HIA-LI, today announced a new economic development initiative. The IDA and HIA-LI have formed a strategic partnership to raise awareness among and facilitate outreach to HIA-LI members within the Hauppauge Industrial Park, and those considering moving there, that will provide opportunities to learn about the economic development incentives the agency offers.

The announcement followed today’s IDA board meeting, and just days after Bellone, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development, Commissioner Joanne Minieri and IDA Executive Director Anthony Manetta addressed HIA-LI members at Novak Motors in Hauppauge. County Executive Bellone says, “The IDA and the HIA-LI are a natural fit. The Hauppauge Industrial Park is a major employment hub for Suffolk County and the IDA has tremendous benefits to offer companies throughout the county, who are looking to grow, expand and create jobs.”

“Together, the Suffolk County IDA and HIA-LI will be able to educate and inform regional businesses about the benefits they can receive from the IDA. We can help detail how leasing into larger space, buying a property or renovating a facility could be more cost-effective with incentives from the IDA,” says Terri Alessi-Miceli, HIA-LI president. “We look forward to a close working  relationship with the Suffolk County IDA under the leadership of Anthony Manetta.”

For over 30 years, HIA-LI has been the recognized voice for Long Island businesses and a powerful force for regional economic development. The association has over 1,000 member companies and is headquartered in the Hauppauge Industrial Park where it provides a forum for strategic partnership, targeted networking and business advocacy. The 1,400 acre Hauppauge Industrial Park is one of the largest in the nation and home to 1,300 companies employing 55,000 people in manufacturing, construction and services industries.

IDA Executive Director Manetta states, “Being proactive is a key to creating job growth in Suffolk County. The HIA-LI is an important avenue to reach businesses we can help incentivize to expand their operations.”

“Hauppauge Industrial Park’s success is vital to the economic landscape of Suffolk County. We are making sure that the County provides companies there as well as throughout the county the adequate resources needed to thrive,” says Deputy County Executive Minieri, who is also a member of the IDA Board of Directors.

HIA-LI board member and recent IDA client Anne Shybunko-Moore of GSE Dynamics said, ““The incentives provided by the Suffolk IDA validated my decision to expand my business here in Suffolk. In order to grow and expand, business needs to feel the support from the community, which County Executive Bellone and the IDA leadership demonstrate with their probusiness approach.”

Under this strategic partnership, the Suffolk IDA and HIA-LI will:

1. Hold IDA forums for HIA-LI members to learn more about the IDA services

2. Arrange personal visits by IDA Executive Director, along with HIA-LI staff to local companies as an ongoing outreach effort

3. Sponsor an IDA “CEO Round Table” discussion in conjunction with the HIA-LI gala

4. Create a direct mail campaign for the IDA with the guidance of HIA-LI to member companies within the Hauppauge Industrial Park

5. Display IDA “incentive” signs on “for rent or sale” properties to generate interest amongst potential buyers and/or tenants

6. Leverage editorial space in the HIA-LI monthly newspaper to highlight IDA services Jack Kulka, an HIA-LI Board Member and CEO of Kulka Construction says, “We view this as a long term partnership and we look forward to working with County Executive Bellone, Deputy County Executive, Commissioner Minieri and IDA Executive Director Manetta. It’s refreshing to see folks in government reaching out and being accessible like this. It’s a private sector attitude we sorely need.”

About HIA-LI
HIA-LI helps Long Island businesses prosper. For over 30 years, we have been the recognized voice for business on Long Island and a powerful force and economic engine for regional development. We provide a forum for business leaders to network, problem solve and obtain advice on critical issues facing their businesses. Our member companies represent tens of thousands of business professionals. We’re headquartered in and support one of the largest industrial parks in the United States. HIA-LI programs and events promote strategic partnerships, targeted networking, and information sharing and business advocacy. Members benefit from our committees, educational programs, career resources, research capabilities, mentoring opportunities and business advisory services. For more information, visit http://www.HIA-LI.org or call 631-543-5355.