Keeping Manufacturers on Long Island- a call to arms.

By Patrick Boyle

On April 11th, 2022 Newsday reported that two Long Island manufacturers will be closing later in the year. They are just two of a disturbing number of businesses that have decided to shutter or move off-island rather than continue doing business here on Long Island, either taking or eliminating jobs in the process. Citing a range of issues, the manufacturers claim that with New York’s hostile business environment, the current supply chain issues our region will lose142 manufacturing jobs which typically pay about 20% more than the national average.

The prohibitive cost of doing business on Long Island is well-known. Combined with the impacts of the global supply chain shortage, the great resignation, the grey wave (retirement-aged individuals leaving the workforce), and the climbing costs of utilities, it is plain to see that there are some apparent challenges for small and medium-sized businesses across New York State but more so here on Long Island. The Newsday story serves as a wake-up call, we must act to bring some relief to Long Island businesses. Last year New York State had the third-highest exodus rate of any state. People and businesses are leaving the Empire State in droves, more must be done. Here are three action items for our Albany and local policymakers to consider.

1. Governmental regulations and burdensome taxes pose tremendous obstacles to business growth, however, the most pressing challenge across the board is the workforce shortage. The lack of labor-capital across Long Island’s industrial sectors means business leaders are forced to look to move operations to where labor is more plentiful. Government must invest more heavily in workforce development and fully fund the programs already in place.

2. Education has a significant role in ensuring Long Island’s manufacturing success. Schools must incentivize STEM fields and promote technical careers rather than funnel many students’ into four-year degrees. Local businesses rely on schools to provide graduates ready to get to work, we must promote hands-on learning of technical skills while encouraging exploration of technologies.

3. Businesses struggle with the financial and regulatory burden of operating on Long Island, we must be more mindful of the impact of legislation coming out of Albany and its consequences on businesses’ bottom line. New York state should be a place where businesses thrive!

Workforce development support, promotion of STEM education and technical careers, and governmental support of New York State’s businesses are three key action items that we must pursue to encourage companies to stay here on Long Island. Newsday’s story is a call to arms for regular Long Islanders to contact our policymakers and business leaders and discuss the importance of promoting businesses, STEM education, and skilled labor, so that business thrives, our main streets remain bustling and our families stay together.

To the employees who are faced with imminent job loss, IgniteLI will find you a new position in Manufacturing here on Long Island.