Could LI be a model for the rest of NY?

In the state's new competition for economic development dollars, Long Island should prevail because of ongoing collaborations between businesses, colleges and research laboratories, Lt. Gov. Robert J. Duffy said yesterday.

Duffy, point-man for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on development issues, said the governor hopes to duplicate elsewhere the cooperation that now exists between area companies and research institutions such as Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Cuomo wants to establish 10 regional economic development councils to spur such partnerships. Duffy would head each council, consisting of about 30 executives, developers, politicians and academics.

Long Island's council would vie with others for about $130 million in state grants and $70 million in tax credits.

"You are going to see Long Island be at the leading edge of these councils because of the work that's been done" on collaborations, Duffy said after visiting the construction of Canon USA's headquarters in Melville.

Cuomo is expected to announce details about the councils next month.

Duffy said no final decision had been made on where $340 million earmarked for development projects will come from. Cuomo's proposal to tap money and borrowing power from state agencies and authorities, in a process that would exclude lawmakers, has met resistance. Duffy spent several hours with area leaders in meetings organized by the Long Island Association.