In April 2023, the LIA launched a new program to support the growth of businesses on the East End of Long Island.
In November 2024, the LIA issued its first-ever East End Advocacy Agenda focusing on the unique economy of the North and South Forks, including: creating more affordable and diverse housing options; continuing to cultivate the East End’s legacy industries of agriculture, aquaculture, and viniculture; enhancing transportation and infrastructure; supporting year-round business operations; and recruiting and retaining workers.
The East End of Long Island is comprised of five Towns: East Hampton, Riverhead, Southampton, Southold, and Shelter Island, which together has a population of approximately 160,000 and a unique and diverse economy encompassing agriculture, vineyards and craft beverages, fishing, tourism and hospitality, retail, and more.
On April 20, 2023 at Atlantis & Events in Riverhead, the LIA announced the new East End Business Support Program to extend our network of resources to companies operating in these Towns, building upon the success of the LIA Small Business Support Program launched last year. This includes networking with both small businesses and the larger employers that are members of the LIA to facilitate B2B relationships, promotion of East End businesses through our digital communications and events, and connections to key government and non-government partners and resources.
The LIA also launched a new East End Member Committee, which is Co-Chaired by Board members Kristen Reynolds, President & CEO of Discover Long Island, and Tora Matsuoka, Partner at Tip Top Hospitality, and Vice Chair Deirdre O'Connell, CEO of Daniel Gale Southeby's International Realty, to explore economic challenges facing the East End business community and to learn how the LIA can advocate for them. The LIA is holding Committee events on the East End to make it easier for businesses located there to participate.
Please contact Dave Fattizzo, the LIA's Director of Business Development, for more information on how to participate in the East End Business Support Program. dfattizzo@longislandassociation.org.
Our Partners
The LIA's goal is to be complementary to the existing programs, organizations, and chambers of commerce on the East End of Long Island who work tirelessly on behalf of our region's small businesses. The local knowledge and support they provide is vital and we look forward to collaborating with them to support the continued growth of the East End business community.
- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County: A land-grant nonprofit agency established in 1917, conducts research-based programs and services tackling major issues affecting Long Islanders in 4 main areas: 4-H Youth Development, Community Education, Agriculture, and Marine.
- Discover Long Island: The region’s official and only accredited destination marketing organization, charged with furthering Long Island’s thriving $6.3 billion in visitor economy, for more than 40 years.
- Long Island Development Corporation: Provides low cost loans, small business technical assistance and private/public sector procurement resources that all aid in increasing business growth, capacity and access to capital when the banks say no.
- Long Island Farm Bureau: The voice of Long Island agriculture that serves the best interests of their members through united action, using the strength of a grassroots organizational structure and relying on effective leadership to provide strong, networked and allied Farm Bureau organizations at the local, state and national organization levels.
- Long Island Food Council: Advocates for the Long Island Food and Beverage industry, an information hub and a catalyst for networking.
- Riverhead Chamber of Commerce: Organized for the purpose of advancing the Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural, Civic, Tourism, Economic & Workforce Development and General Interests of the Township of Riverhead and outlying communities within the Central School District No. 2 within Suffolk County.
- New York State Department of Agriculture: Promotes New York State agriculture and its high-quality and diverse products, fosters agricultural environmental stewardship, and safeguards the state’s food supply, land, and livestock to ensure the viability and growth of New York’s agriculture industries.
- Southampton Business Alliance: Formed in 1993 to advocate on behalf of businesses throughout the Town of Southampton.
- Stony Brook Small Business Development Center: Brings together the resources of the University, the private sector and government at all levels to assist entrepreneurs, business and industry in the solution of their problems, leading to increased productivity and profitability.
- Suffolk County Alliance of Chambers: A ground-up regional business organization comprised of local chambers of commerce and business alliances. Their mission is to promote and advocate for business owners in retail, office, manufacturing, and other business sectors throughout the region.
If you are a support organization operating on the East End of Long Island please contact us to be added to this webpage.
Newsday nextLI Blue Economy Research
Long Island has nearly 1,200 miles of coastline. What if our waters could generate more than 100,000 jobs and more than $32 billion of annual economic output?
Newsday’s nextLI engaged HR&A Advisors to model a “Blue Economy” for Long Island — an in-depth analysis of the region’s long term economic outlook through a scenario that envisions an emergent ocean-based economy.
