A coalition of Long Island business groups released a survey Monday geared toward assessing investments made by regional developers on the island and beyond.
The Long Island Economic Investment Study is an initiative of the Long Island Association (LIA), the Association for a Better Long Island (ABLI) and the Long Island Building Institute (LIBI). The survey is conducted by Long Island University Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling and Analysis, which is able to last until the tip of January.
The survey was launched until make clear developers’ future plans to construct more housing because the region continues to grapple with housing diversity and affordability challenges, in keeping with a joint statement from three business groups. Additionally, the study goals to evaluate obstacles to initiating and completing development projects on Long Island and reforms that would improve the method.
“Long Island is at a crossroads – we can build and advance creative solutions to address our housing crisis, or we can do nothing and continue to hemorrhage residents and businesses,” LIA President and CEO Matt Cohen said in an announcement. “This study will be key to understanding the specific needs of businesses involved in development and ensuring policy takes into account the continued development of our region. I thank our colleagues at ABLI and LIBI for their collaboration and Long Island University for conducting the survey.”
Kyle Strober, executive director of ABLI, said that while the associated fee of doing business here puts Long Island at a drawback in comparison with competing regions, data from the study will quantify the depth of the issue.
“This information will be a key tool for showing our elected officials how current conditions are impacting our region, and for keeping them mindful of their past and future policy decisions,” Strober said in an announcement. “Because the government has significant economic influence on Long Island, the strategic goal must be to create additional jobs and housing, not crowd them out.”
LIBI CEO Mike Florio added that it’s crucial that each government and the private sector work together to handle the underlying issues which have contributed to the world’s housing crisis.
“The home construction industry is a vital component of Long Island’s economy, providing not only jobs but also contributing to the overall economic stability of the region,” Florio said in an announcement. “If builders and investors find more favorable terms elsewhere, it could result in a harmful cycle where reduced investment leads to fewer job opportunities and further population loss.”
Kimberly Cline, president of Long Island University, said the study’s importance is a critical step in understanding the economic forces shaping Long Island’s development landscape.
“Long Island University is proud to contribute its research expertise through the Hornstein Center to help inform policy decisions that will impact our region,” Cline said in an announcement. “Our involvement in this initiative reflects our commitment to supporting sustainable economic development on Long Island.”
The survey may be obtained at surveymonkey.com/r/6LRYF3D.
