Long Island
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
Cleantech and Renewable Energy
Craft Beverage
Tourism
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
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, A&Z Pharmaceutical Inc, Sciegen Pharmaceuticals, Piping Rock Health Products, among others.
Long Island’s world-class higher education institutions — 19 colleges and well-known research facilities — continue to make incredible discoveries. The groundbreaking $430 million Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Hub in Nassau County will catalyze research, development, and commercialization of life-saving therapies. To be developed by The Albanese Organization, Inc., this state-of-the-art facility will receive a historic $150 million state investment, accelerating the delivery of the new therapies from lab to patient in New York’s diverse communities.
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.
Photo Credit: Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery/Doug Young
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.
Population 2024
Labor Force Status 2024
Age Distribution 2024
Education Attainment 2024
Data source: ZoomProspector (Applied Geographic Solutions)
Doing Business on Long Island
Tax-Based Incentives
Operational Support
Growth Support
Innovation Development Support
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.
Empire State Development
115 Broadhollow Rd., Suite 250
Melville, NY 11747
United States