Long Island

Contact Cara Longworth
Industry Contact Regional Director Cara Longworth

Proximity to New York City and top talent are on our long list of advantages

Long Island has internationally recognized companies and acclaimed research and educational institutions, as well as renowned wineries and beautiful beaches. Primed for growth, the region also offers businesses a highly skilled workforce and close proximity to New York City. Combined with quality of life assets like premier centers of art and culture and captivating natural landscapes across Nassau and Suffolk counties, Long Island is truly a place to call home. 

Key Industries on Long Island

Biotech and Life Sciences

Investment in biotech research and development, life science companies and talent, is building this world-class New York State industry.
Three wind turbines in a large field

Cleantech and Renewable Energy

New York State, a leader in clean tech and renewable energy resources, is growing a green economy—aiming for 100% clean power by 2040.
1886 Malt House

Craft Beverage

Breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries are booming in New York State with support that has fueled craft beverage industry growth.
Exterior of the Long Island Welcome Center building

Tourism

Record numbers of visitors to New York State’s diverse regions—from the Adirondacks to Montauk—create jobs and a sizable economic impact.
Innovation is in New York's DNA, leading the way in scientific advancement and discovery. Long Island is driving a big part of our cutting-edge research, including at the Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Kathy Hochul, NYS Governor
Interior of Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

The region is home to diverse industries such as aerospace, defense, pharmaceutical, financial services, biotech/biomedical, agriculture, software and information technology, printing, food processing, government, manufacturing, and travel and hospitality. Long Island has the most life sciences jobs of any state region and its biotech strength is reflected in the large pharmaceutical firms and entrepreneurial startups based here, with growing companies that include Contract Pharmacal, NBTY Inc. and Sciegen Pharmaceuticals, among others. 

two people working in Cold Spring Laboratory

Long Island’s world-class higher education institutions — 20 colleges and well-known research facilities — continue to make incredible discoveries. Life-changing research is done here, from developing the technology that unveiled the DNA double-helix to building the Apollo moon landing module. Public-private investment supports projects including Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s new Center for Therapeutics Research, to explore advanced therapies for genetic diseases, with a focus on cancer research. 

Exterior of Pindar Vineyard on Long Island

Long Island has a 300-year old history of farming, fishing and raising poultry that is still supported today—580+ farms in Nassau and Suffolk Counties generate wholesale produce of $225+ million. The region is home to 45 licensed craft breweries and more than 80 vineyards, supporting tourism and hundreds of jobs on Long Island. 

Wind turbines

Long Island is at the center of the emerging renewable energy economy,  with public-private investments preparing the region to take advantage of new and exciting opportunities. Offshore wind turbines being developed off Long Island's coast will power 2.4+ million New York homes and bring a combined statewide economic impact of $12.1 billion. A $20 million investment in the Offshore Wind Training Institute in partnership with SUNY Farmingdale and SUNY Stony Brook will help establish a skilled industry workforce.  

Long Island By The Numbers

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icon representing biotechnology and life sciences

#1

in New York State for number of Life Science jobs 

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80+

wineries on Long Island’s North and South Forks that produce more than 6 tons of grapes annually.

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$5.8B

spent by visitors in 2021

Population 2024

Labor Force Status 2024

Age Distribution 2024

Education Attainment 2024

Data source: ZoomProspector (Applied Geographic Solutions)

Doing Business on Long Island

Construction of the New NY Bridge in New York's Mid-Hudson Region.

Tax-Based Incentives

All forms of tax incentives that enable savings and cost advantages to businesses.

Operational Support

Programs offering assistance or training to ensure more competitive businesses.
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Growth Support

Funds, loans and other means of financial support to stimulate business growth.
People working and talking in co-working space in the Thomas R. Beecher, Jr. Innovation Center

Innovation Development Support

Leverage New York State’s unparalleled investment in world-class tech assets, programs and expertise to grow your business.

Explore opportunities in the Long Island region

Visit the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council site to see strategic plans, current projects and the latest economic data, plus access funding applications and more.

Long Island Investment Fund

The Long Island Investment Fund program will focus on large-scale, transformative projects that will have lasting impacts on Long Island.

Regional Office

The Long Island regional office works hand-in-hand with new and existing businesses to help identify economic development programs to support business growth and expansion—for building new facilities, relocating a business, expanding operations and workforce and entering new and global markets.

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Cara Longworth
Regional Director

Empire State Development
115 Broadhollow Rd., Suite 250
Melville, NY 11747
United States