Long Island Regional Economic Development Council 2019 Progress Report

While Long Island’s unique cultural heritage and historical sites convey our rich contributions to American history, the arts, and culture, they are also significant economic drivers for the region. This year, the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council invited Preservation Long Island (PLI) to be a member of their Natural Assets and Tourism Work Group. Our Preservation Director, Sarah Kautz represented PLI as a participant from the preservation and tourism sectors.

Long Island is one of the ten regions included in the New York State Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative established in 2011. Each REDC is tasked with developing long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their region. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Long Island Regional Economic Development Council (LIREDC) has nine active workgroups that include a broad range of representatives from multiple economic sectors.

The LIREDC recognizes that leveraging our important heritage and tourism assets to attract visitors from across the region and beyond is a key strategy for growing local economies. The LIREDC’s Natural Assets and Tourism Work Group features a broad mix of individuals that represent Long Island’s agriculture, commercial fishing, shellfishing, tourism, and preservation industries. The group looks to better understand the challenges that our heritage industries face and develop solutions that can help promote the growth of our agriculture, seafood, and beverage industries, encourage the preservation of our historic assets, and continue to attract tourism to our entire region.

We are pleased to share the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council’s 2019 Progress Report and Updated Strategic Plan:

The State of the Region: Long Island – Breaking Down Barriers

While there is still more to be done, we believe the Council’s 2019 Progress Report and Strategic Plan brings more attention to the needs and significance of our region’s historic resources.