Long Island First promotion in development

Long Island's top business and political leaders will develop a marketing campaign to encourage residents to buy locally, under laws recently approved by Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The initiative, called Long Island First, aims to "promote" regional products "first and foremost and create a logo which is symbolic of Long Island's abundant resources," said Suffolk Legis. Wayne R. Horsley (D-Babylon), who sponsored the bill in his legislature.

It was sponsored in Nassau by Legis. Denise Ford (R-Long Beach).

Horsley and Ford unveiled the project Monday in Melville.

They will join a 29-member group that includes officials from the Empire State Development Corp., town and village leaders, Long Island Farm Bureau, Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and state Parks Commission.

The group, to be led by Long Island Regional Planning Council director Michael White, is expected to meet within the month and will issue a report by Dec. 31.

Ford said, "The purpose of this initiative is to develop a renewed appreciation for work done on Long Island by Long Islanders."

Horsley agreed, adding, "We have businesses and possibly entire industries that are not well-known to Long Islanders. The outcome of this lack of knowledge means labor, services and goods of and by Long Islanders are not being fully utilized."