Smart Growth Summit to focus on local planning and small business

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More than 1,000 local business, community and government leaders are expected to attend the 23rd annual Long Island Smart Growth Summit on Friday, Dec. 6. 

This year’s summit, which takes place at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, will focus on helping small businesses, planning locally for new housing options, downtown revitalization and infrastructure investment, according to a statement from summit organizer Vision Long Island. 

The summit kicks off at 8 a.m. with the State of the Towns and Villages panel, featuring Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico, Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim, Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth, Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin, Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, North Hempstead Supervisor Jenn Desena, Riverhead Supervisor Tim Hubbard, Westbury Mayor Peter Cavallaro, Farmingdale Mayor Ralph Ekstrand, Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare, Amityville Mayor Dennis Siry and Glen Cove Mayor Pamela Panzenback. 

The summit’s lunch session features several speakers, including New York State Comptroller Tom Dinapoli, who will provide an update from Albany on the state’s fiscal health and a forecast for 2025. State Sen. Jack Martins will lead a preview of the 2025 Albany legislative session and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine will cover the work his administration is putting in place for downtowns, safe roadways, affordable housing and bus service among other areas. 

“We must continue to work together to develop our downtowns and support our local businesses while helping small businesses flourish and Suffolk’s communities preserve their spirits,” Romaine said in the statement. “The Smart Growth Summit plays an important role in bringing all of the stakeholders to the same room, under one roof to work towards these common goals.”  

Suffolk County Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey will discuss the Legislature’s efforts to help Suffolk’s Main Streets and National Grid’s Brian Sapp will share information about the company’s investments in Long Island communities. 

Panel discussions at the summit include sessions on transportation, downtown revitalization, affordable housing, clean energy projects, small business resources, sewer and wastewater infrastructure, IDA and economic opportunities, major development projects and more. 

A Long Island Youth Summit, involving students from St. Joseph’s University, Hofstra University, Farmingdale State and local high schools will assist in bringing young people into the planning process of their communities including workforce training, mentoring to navigate potential jobs. 

“This year’s summit provides a roadmap for community, business and government leaders to work together, heal the divisions thrown at us from federal, state and regional interests and plan locally to uplift our many local communities in need,” said Eric Alexander, Vision Long Island director and founder of the LI Main Street Alliance.