Nassau County, NY - Nassau County Executive Laura Curran’s Economic Advisory Council, established to help track and assess COVID-19’s local business impacts and inform recovery strategies, has prepared an interim report for the Long Island members of Governor Cuomo’s NY Forward Re-Opening Advisory Board, tasked with guiding New York’s reopening strategy. As the focus of state and local officials, business leaders and the public turns to re-opening, the report provides:
- A summary of the Council’s activities, including dozens of conversations with a wide-range of business and non-profit leaders, a countywide survey of more than 1,400 businesses, an ongoing analysis of economic impacts and more.
- Key take-aways from Council meetings including important feedback from businesses and non-profits from every sector of the economy - and what they will need to get moving in the short and longer term.
- Suggestions of additional low-risk businesses and activities which could be deemed essential in the near term, while Long Island works to meet the State’s health metrics for phased re-opening - including residential construction, medically necessary elective care and surgeries, curbside retail, as well as additional outdoor activities.
- Upcoming Council activities including spreading the word about the new State-directed re-opening protocols, best practices and relevant governmental requirements.
“I am committed to supporting our businesses as we enter this next chapter. I thank the members of my Economic Advisory Council for their ongoing input and for continuing to help advocate for the many businesses, non-profit organizations, institutions and workers that are facing immense hurdles during this crisis,” said County Executive Curran. “Together, we will look to help all sectors smartly and safely prepare for the phased re-opening outlined by the State.
“The County Executive’s Council has been a vital component both in understanding the broad economic impact of the pandemic as well as the effects to individual business sectors and what assistance different sectors need,” said Council Co-Chair Stuart Rabinowitz, Hofstra University. “We have a greater understanding today of the various needs to get the economy running again, for the benefit of our Long Island residents.”
"The Nassau IDA has engaged businesses of all sizes and sectors – from Main Street shops to real estate developers – to identify their needs to ensure our businesses and downtowns can emerge as strong as possible as the County implements the state’s reopening plan,” said Council Co-Chair Richard Kessel, Nassau County IDA. “We continue to work closely with County Executive Curran to revive our local economy and help Nassau businesses get back on their feet."
For the full report, visit: www.hofstra.edu/economicimpact
Council Members
- Co-Chairs: Stuart Rabinowitz, Hofstra University and Richard Kessel, Nassau County IDA
- Phil Andrews, Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce
- Jamie Bogenshutz, YES Community Counseling Center
- John Cameron, Long Island Regional Planning Council
- Charles Chan, Harvest International Commercial Real Estate
- Kevin Dahill, Nassau Suffolk Hospital Council & Suburban Hospital Alliance of New York
- John Durso, Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
- Wayne Grossé, Bethpage Federal Credit Union
- Dennis Grossman, Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce
- Zeeshan Hamid, New York South Asian Chamber
- Kevin Law, Long Island Association
- Loren Lostritto, Steel Equities
- Kristen Jarnagin, Discover Long Island
- Alan Mindel, Samar Hospitality
- Richard Monti, Crest Hollow Country Club
- Jonathan Otto, MetroCapital Realty
- Bennett Rechler, We’re Group
- Jay Roewe, HBO
- Kyle Strober, Association for a Better Long Island
- Luis Vasquez, Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Jermaine Williams, Nassau Community College