Nassau incubator proposed to foster homeland security companies

Homeland security will be the focus of a business incubator proposed for East Hills by Nassau County, officials said.

The county's Industrial Development Agency hopes to work with the New York Institute of Technology, which has a campus in nearby Old Westbury, on the incubator initiative, said IDA executive director Joseph J. Kearney.

The incubator would be located in 10,000 square feet at the former Pall Corp. headquarters in East Hills. The space is being donated by developers Joseph Lostritto Jr. and his brother Glenn, both of Steel Equities in Bethpage.

The donation was included in 2011 negotiations with the development agency for tax breaks to support revamping the then-dilapidated office building. The structure will eventually be home to the MetLife insurance company and offices for St. Francis Hospital.

Kearney said Wednesday night the IDA would soon be hiring a consultant to help set up the incubator, one of three that Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano talked about in his re-election campaign last year.

Kearney said the IDA hopes to spur the growth of cybersecurity companies in the county, which also is home to the Morrelly Homeland Security Center in Bethpage.