Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter delivered the 2024 State of the Town address on March 6th, 2024, emphasizing the Town’s strong financial position, infrastructure improvements, and commitment to serving its residents. The Supervisor outlined the Town’s accomplishments over the past 8 years and shared plans for continued growth and development.
Key highlights from the address include:
- Strong Financial Position: The Town maintained its AAA bond rating from Moody’s for the 8th consecutive year, enabling investments in critical infrastructure projects.
- Infrastructure Improvements: Significant progress was made on projects such as the renovation of Byron Lake Park and Pool Complex, unveiling a new skate park at Roberto Clemente Park, the new Animal Shelter, and upgrades to Town facilities and technology including the new Islip Town Square and Planning Portal.
- Economic Development: The Industrial Development Agency (IDA) has closed over 100 projects since 2015, representing $1 billion in capital investments and creating over 10,000 jobs.
- Environmental Initiatives: The Town expanded its shellfish cultivation program, partnered with organizations to promote environmental health, and invested in green infrastructure projects.
- Community Enhancements: The Town continued to support its residents through various programs, including senior services and the Town’s expanded meal delivery and home repair services, youth initiatives, and quality of life improvements, including the Town’s soon to be established Quality of Life Court, enabling the Town to resolve code violations without the need of residents traveling to District Court.
“We have spent the last 8 years laying the foundation for a brighter future in Islip,” said Supervisor Angie Carpenter. “By investing in our infrastructure, supporting economic development, and prioritizing the needs of our residents, we have positioned our Town for continued success.”
The Supervisor also highlighted upcoming projects such as the transformative Midway Crossing project and the proposed Amtrak service to the Ronkonkoma Train Station, which are expected to bring significant economic benefits to the region.
“When we talk about planning for our Town’s future and the region, there is no better example than Midway Crossing, a collaborative effort with the Town, County, and private partners that has the potential to generate billions of dollars into our local economy,” Supervisor Carpenter said.
The current proposal would bring a life sciences hub with state-of-the-art research and medical facilities with high-paying skilled positions designed to keep the region’s highly educated workforce on Long Island. Additionally, a proposed Hotel/Convention Center complex and other opportunities including a North Terminal at the Airport.
A North Terminal would allow for not only a more updated Terminal, but train-to-plane connectivity by moving the terminal adjacent to the Ronkonkoma Train Station. The potential for train-to-plane connectivity allows for expanded use of Long Island MacArthur airport, and will complement the Midway Crossing Project by making it more accessible without the need for increased vehicle traffic.
“As traffic and congestion remain a top concern on Long Island, finding new ways to utilize our mass transit infrastructure and eliminating the need to travel into or through New York City certainly benefits not only our residents, but all of Long Island,” said Supervisor Carpenter.
Islip’s Long Island MacArthur Airport welcomed new airlines and destinations, in particular through partnerships with Frontier Airlines and Breeze Airways. “We created a new ground transportation center in an under-used building. We have completed nearly $100million of grant-funded paving and terminal improvements, including a new baggage claim area, and installed a state-of-the-art 3-D TSA Checkpoint Scanner,” said the Supervisor.
As the Town moves forward, the Supervisor emphasized the importance of collaboration and community involvement in shaping Islip’s future. The Town’s Comprehensive Plan, set to be updated this year for the first time since 1977, will play a crucial role in guiding growth and development in the coming decades.
“Guiding a Town of over 340,000 residents towards the future is certainly a team effort, and we are blessed to have such a fine team. I take this responsibility very seriously, as I know my fellow board members do, Councilmen James O’Connor, Jorge Guadron, John Lorenzo, and Mike McElwee. I thank them all, for being such dedicated and caring partners. I know that we all have the same goals. We all want the best for our residents,” said Supervisor Carpenter.
For more information about the State of the Town address and to watch it in its entirety please visit www.islipny.gov.
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