BUSINESS BELONGS ON LONG ISLAND New Branding Effort Brings Together Regional Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) and the Long Island’s Official Tourism Promotion Agency for Collaborative Business Attraction Efforts

LONG ISLAND, NY (July 17, 2019) ¬– All eight (8) Long Island Industrial Development Agencies have teamed up with Discover Long Island to apply for a National Grid Cooperative Marketing grant that, if approved, would seek to attract new business to the Island. The collaborative effort would use Long Island’s new tourism branding campaign “BeLONG on Long Island” as an umbrella message for collaborative business attraction and retention efforts in order to stimulate economic development opportunities. It is the first time in more than a decade that Long Island’s economic development agencies have partnered to market the region as a whole.

“We are excited to work collaboratively with our IDA colleagues to further the overall mission that Long Island is open for business. Kristen and her team at Discover Long Island have proven to successfully improve the Long Island brand and we are grateful for their support to spearhead this mission,” said Harry Coghlan, CEO of Nassau County IDA.

“BeLONG on Long Island” is a new branding effort that utilizes the appeal of Long Island’s incredible quality of life, and provides an emotional connection to the region, inspiring not only visitors, but also business prospects and residents to find the personalized Long Island experience that best connects them to the destination.

“Local economic development organizations all across the country band together to market on a regional basis. Long Island’s EDO’s need to recognize the benefit of regional branding and marketing by pooling their resources and acting collectively.” said William Mannix, Director of Economic Development for the Town of Islip IDA.

A 2019 “Long Island Perception” study, conducted by Longwoods International (and funded by National Grid, Discover Long Island, MCLI, HIA-LI, LIU and LI MacArthur Airport), determined that, while name recognition was high for Long Island, little was known about the destination from a live, work, play perspective. These findings further highlight our region’s struggles to attract and retain businesses and talent in an increasingly competitive market as well as the need to combat the upward trend of Long Island residents, particularly young and well-educated residents, choosing to leave the region.

“Research confirms that Long Island is a brand with strong name recognition, and it has been proven that increasing visitation to a destination leads to a more favorable perception and, ultimately increased economic opportunities,” said Kristen Jarnagin, President & CEO of Discover Long Island. “We applaud our partners in economic development for initiating this groundbreaking collaboration that will increase awareness of Long Island as a wonderful place to visit, live and thrive in business. We look forward to promoting Long Island as a place where visitors and businesses BeLONG.”

This project allows Discover Long Island and the IDAs to target new consumer and business attraction markets to raise awareness of Long Island as an ideal place to visit, conduct business or relocate. These efforts include market-wide advertising, digital and print marketing and collateral, lead generation initiatives, social activations, fulfillment endeavors and more, all designed to positively influence business attraction efforts and further stimulate the Long Island economy.

“We are excited to collaborate with our regional economic development partners in promoting what makes Long Island such a great place to do business” said Lisa Mulligan, CEO of Brookhaven IDA and LDC. The proposed budget for the campaign is $100,000, with the regional IDAs contributing $50,000 in total. If approved, the National Grid grant would reinburse the remaining $50,000. Discover Long Island would serve as contractor for the project, designing and producing marketing materials and placing ads. Each IDA will need approval from their respective Boards to enter into the partnership. “This collaborative effort is an opportunity to highlight Long Island’s unique resources and demonstrate why doing business in our area is a smart investment. The strategic and inclusive regional branding provides Riverhead with a greater impact and reach into markets that our small agency would otherwise not have been able to target. We are excited to join forces with Discover Long Island and the other Long Island IDAs,” said Riverhead IDA Executive Director/CEO, Tracy Stark James. “We BeLONG together!”

“Glen Cove is a beautiful waterfront community. As Mayor and Chairman of the IDA, I want to enhance the viability of desired local businesses within the City.” said Timothy Tenke, “Our community will continue to thrive as our businesses grow, and the BeLONG campaign from Discover Long Island lays out a path to success for any business owner.”

“In the Town of Hempstead we are primarily repurposing space, and bringing new jobs and up-to-date infrastructure to the areas with projects.” said the Town of Hempstead IDA and LDC in a prepared statement, “The Town of Hempstead IDA & LDC looks forward to working with our regional partners, as Long Island is a beautiful locale with a great deal to offer.”

“The Babylon IDA is proud to join with our fellow economic development leaders to spread the word about all that Long Island has to offer,” said Tom Dolan, CEO of the Town of Babylon IDA. “Our message to successful businesses across the region that are looking to relocate is simple: Long Island has everything you could ever need - world-class educated workforce, great schools and communities for your employees to raise a family, top of the line infrastructure and a partner in government.”

If successful, Discover Long Island and the IDAs anticipate continuing their partnership into the future.

“We hope this effort serves to lay the foundation for sustained and successful collaborations moving forward,” said Tony Catapano, Executive Director of the Suffolk County IDA. “When the region’s entities come together around a shared goal, all of Long Island wins.”

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ABOUT DISCOVER LONG ISLAND: Discover Long Island is the official regional organization charged with furthering the $5.9 billion tourism economy. The organization contributes to the economic development and quality of life on Long Island by promoting the region as a world-class destination for visitors, meetings and conventions, trade shows, sporting events and related activities. For more information, please call 631-951-3900 or visit DiscoverLongIsland.com.

ABOUT THE IDAS: The mission of the region’s Industrial Development Agencies (IDA) is to promote economic development by helping businesses expand and grow, increase employment opportunities and add to the quality of life for Long Island residents. IDAs are the lead agencies attracting new investment to Long Island and driving the region’s innovation economy and job expansion. They are funded by client fees, not taxpayer dollars.

Media Contact: Maggie LaCasse Director of Communications Discover Long Island 631-951-3900 MLaCasse@DiscoverLongIsland.com