Levy eyes ways to boost Suffolk economy

Looking to boost Suffolk's economy, County Executive Steve Levy Wednesday night proposed up to $11 million in sewer incentives by waiving hookup fees over five years to spur the rebuilding of downtown Wyandanch and other sites near mass transit.

"I firmly believe that 20 years from now, when we look back at the renaissance of Wyandanch we will point to this county investment as the place where it all started," said Levy in delivering his annual state of the county message at the Wang Center at Stony Brook University.

Levy's sewer proposal dovetails with Babylon Town's $500-million "Wyandanch Rising" plan to redevelop 134 acres, including a 50-acre downtown core on Straight Path where a sewer line extension will encourage business along with amenities such as European-styled plazas, fountains and ice skating rink.

The waiver - which requires no outlay of county funds - is aimed at encouraging business to locate and invest in what is now a blighted area with crime and drug problems. The town has committed $6 million to the project and Empire State Development Corp., $2 million. Sen. Charles Schumer also called on the State Environmental Facilities Corp. to provide $14 million in federal funds for the sewer line.

Beyond Wyandanch, Levy aides say there are four or five other sites that could qualify for the waiver, including a proposed Ronkonkoma transit hub, where Brookhaven and Islip are planning new affordable housing and retail space around the railroad station.

The sewer fee waiver was one of a few fiscal initiatives in Levy's 50-minute speech that comes during lean fiscal times. Levy said it is "essential that government continue to tighten its belt," and warned of an uncertain 2011 due to an "unstable state budget, a huge increase in pension costs . . . and a loss of over $40 million in federal stimulus dollars."

Levy's address drew polite applause from the crowd of about 250 people, though legislators who sat behind him were less enthusiastic. Legis. Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) said he was hoping Levy would focus more on creating jobs in the county.

Presiding Officer William Lindsay (D-Holbrook) gave the speech high marks, but said there was little new in it. With the county facing another year of large deficits, Lindsay said, it is difficult to propose new programs.

"It's almost like he's in survival mode," Lindsay said. "Get through the year to fight another day."

Michael Watt, the executive vice president of the Long Island Builders Institute, heralded the Wyandanch sewer fee waiver, but said state and federal money must come through for the plan to work.

"It's significant that a municipality the size of Suffolk is saying we're going to do everything we can," Watt said.

On another economic front, Levy said he is forming a new business consortium which will match those looking to relocate here with local venture capitalists. The group will also form a committee to welcome and aggressively enlist new potential business from the moment executives land on the airport tarmac, providing them a checklist of local requirements and incentives and training offered by local colleges to meet their needs. "The days of Long Island having an anti-business image must be a thing of the past," he said.

To combat heroin addiction, Levy called for making the drug Suboxone, which helps suppress the craving for heroin, available in county health centers. He also said he will lobby to change state insurance laws to allow parents to get inpatient treatment for their addicted children.