Connecting Long Islanders to well paying careers starts with bringing employers, educators, and workforce partners together. The Long Island Association hosted a Workforce Development Roundtable, co-chaired by LIA Acting President & CEO @StaceySikes, to advance the Long Island Workforce Development Action Plan, a nine-point strategy to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline and address workforce needs. The discussion focused on advancing a pilot program to connect Long Islanders with training, internship opportunities, and pathways to meaningful careers while helping employers find the talent they need. The project team includes JPMorgan Chase, the Long Island Association, The New York Community Trust, the Institute for Workforce Advancement, JLP+D, and the @RegionalPlan. Together, we are working to build a stronger workforce and support Long Island’s long-term economic growth. Read the Action Plan: buff.ly/VGtiIfO Read the Press Release: buff.ly/jIc17jc #WorkforceDevelopment #LongIsland #EconomicDevelopment

100 years of leadership and advocacy on Long Island! Our latest Newsday TogetherLI feature celebrates the LIA’s history and the people and organizations who have helped shape our region. Meet our Centennial honorees and learn how we are building on that legacy as we prepare to celebrate on November 4th. Read more: buff.ly/HQvgnq9 #LIACentennial

What does Long Island need to thrive? It needs more than one thing. From affordability and housing to energy, infrastructure, childcare, workforce development and small business growth, the pieces are connected. These are the issues that are shaping Long Island’s future, and they are at the center of LIA’s work every day. #LongIsland #LIA100

The LIA was proud to join energy leaders at the @ACE_newyork Annual Fall Conference for important conversations about the challenges and opportunities shaping New York’s renewable energy future. We were especially honored to receive the @NYOffshoreWind Clean Energy Rockstar Award! LIA Acting President & CEO @StaceySikes accepted the recognition for the LIAs report, “The Economic Impact of South Fork Wind and Sunrise Wind,” which identified $460 million in economic development across Nassau and Suffolk counties from 2022–2027. Thank you to ACE NY and the New York Offshore Wind Alliance for bringing together partners committed to advancing clean energy, creating jobs, and strengthening our regional economy.

Helping Long Island’s small businesses turn AI learning into action! @Newsday’s @aridollinger highlights the LIA-AI Growth Academy and how graduates like Nemahun Vincent, founder of tea + munchies, plan to use AI to save time and grow. “Small business owners are busy,” said LIA Acting President & CEO Stacey I. Sikes. “We wanted to make this program easy for them to participate, and valuable in terms of their time.” Thank you to Google.org, @stonybrooku and the @StonybrookSbdc for partnering with the LIA Foundation to provide training, mentoring and $5,000 implementation grants to 49 graduates! buff.ly/rEebW0y

Last week, LIA Director of Business Development Dave Fattizzo attended “Yes In My Backyard: A Regional Leadership Summit on Solar and Battery Energy Storage,” hosted by the @nylcv and its partners on Governors Island. The summit brought together policymakers, fire safety professionals, labor representatives and industry experts to discuss the role of solar energy and battery storage in supporting a safe, affordable and reliable energy future for New York. Discussions explored community safety, workforce development, public health and grid resilience. Thank you to the organizers for bringing together regional leaders for this important conversation. Read more: buff.ly/3ow8hEC

Congratulations to LIA Acting President and CEO Stacey Sikes on being named one of @CityAndStateNY’s 2026 Long Island Trailblazers! As the LIA celebrates its Centennial, Stacey is helping shape our region’s future through advocacy for affordability, housing, reliable energy, infrastructure, workforce development and economic growth. This recognition reflects her commitment to strengthening Long Island’s business community and expanding opportunities across our region. Please join us in congratulating Stacey and all of the honorees! Read more: buff.ly/QbzzDum

The Long Island Association's Jason Deonarine and Tatiana LaSalle recently participated in a boat tour of the South Fork Wind Farm, hosted by the @NYOffshoreWind. The tour offered an up close look at one of the nation's first commercial-scale offshore wind projects and highlighted offshore wind's role in Long Island's evolving energy landscape. The LIA continues to advocate for an energy approach that supports affordability, reliability, economic growth, and the region's long-term energy needs.

Congratulations to @LIMacArthur Airport and the @TownofIslip on being voted the #1 Best Small Airport in America in the USA TODAY @10Best Readers’ Choice Awards! A special thank you to the LIA members and everyone across our region who voted and helped make Long Island's Airport #1! Long Island MacArthur Airport is a critical asset for our economy, connecting businesses to new opportunities, welcoming visitors, and making travel easier for residents. It is part of what makes our quality of life here so exceptional and this recognition gives Long Islanders another reason to be proud.

Thank you to Chris Capece, President of Heatherwood, and the entire Heatherwood team for hosting today’s LIA Board of Directors meeting at Heritage Westminster in West Hempstead. The LIA Board also had the opportunity to tour Heatherwood’s new 428-unit Heritage Westminster community, a transit-oriented development featuring modern residences, extensive amenities and a two-acre Village Green, conveniently located near the West Hempstead LIRR station. We are grateful for the warm hospitality and for helping make today’s meeting such a success!

Join @LI_Arts for A Musical Celebration of Roger Tilles, honoring his four decades of service to the arts and education, including 21 years representing Long Island on the New York State Board of Regents. The evening will feature The Knights, Tony Award-nominated Broadway performer Melissa Errico and talented Long Island student performers, along with a documentary premiere, reception and silent auction. Monday, October 19, 2026 Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, Brookville Reception: 5:30 p.m. - Program: 6:45 p.m. Tickets: $100 per person, including the reception and program Proceeds support Long Island Arts Alliance’s work connecting and strengthening the arts community across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Learn more and reserve your tickets: buff.ly/Ujc6tU7

More games. More chances to cheer on the Islanders 🏒 The @NYIslanders have added more games to the LIA’s special ticket offer! LIA members and our business community can enjoy Islanders hockey at @UBSArena, courtesy of this special offer. View available games and claim your tickets: gofevo.com/group/26272507?ut… Thank you to the New York Islanders for sharing this opportunity with the LIA community. Let’s go Islanders! #LetsGoIslanders #LongIsland #LIA100

#membermonday: Please join us in welcoming Sheehan & Company, CPA, P.C. to the LIA! Founded in 1955, this independent CPA and consulting firm has two Long Island offices serving privately held businesses, business owners, individuals, trusts and estates, nonprofits, and family offices. The firm provides financial reporting, tax strategy and compliance, outsourced accounting and controller services, sales tax audit assistance, and consulting. We are pleased to have Sheehan & Company as part of the LIA community! #LIA100 #LIAMembers #LongIslandBusiness

LIA Acting President & CEO @StaceySikes spoke about balancing predictability for businesses with the rising cost of living in @WLIWfm coverage of Long Island’s minimum wage remaining at $17 heading into 2027. Tying minimum wage increases to inflation “provided businesses with greater predictability while helping workers keep pace with the cost of living,” said Sikes. “Any discussion about revisiting the formula should be driven by economic data and take into account the impact on employers, particularly as businesses across New York continue to face rising costs.” Read more from WLIW-FM: wliw.org/radio/captivate-pod…

As we celebrate the LIA’s Centennial, we are hearing from the leaders who help shape Long Island’s business community. Hear from Linda Armyn, President & CEO of @fourleaffcu and LIA Board Member, on the role the LIA plays in our region’s future. Thank you to FourLeaf Federal Credit Union for supporting the LIA’s Centennial. #LIA100 #LongIslandBusiness

Small businesses are a big part of Long Island’s story. More than 80% of Long Island businesses have fewer than 10 employees. That’s why supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners is a key part of building a stronger regional economy. Through programs like the Small Business Support Program and L.O.C.A.L. Small Business Grant Program, LIA is helping connect business owners with resources, support and opportunity. When local businesses grow, Long Island grows with them.

Check out the latest coverage in Long Island Business News: Small businesses complete LIA-AI Growth Academy “The AI Growth Academy was created to help businesses move beyond simply talking about AI and begin identifying practical ways to use it to become more productive, competitive, and prepared for the future,” said Stacey Sikes, Acting President & CEO of the Long Island Association. Read the article in @LIBN: buff.ly/fUU3k45

Small business owners wear a lot of hats. Meta’s new @Muse for Small Business is designed to help with everyday tasks and give owners more time to focus on growing their businesses. Muse can connect with tools many businesses already use, including Facebook and Instagram business accounts. As one small business owner put it, it can feel like having a “second brain” to help take work off your plate. Learn more about Muse and how it works: buff.ly/E7DaV2e