Economic council seeks ideas in Riverhead

Farmers, tourism outfits and anyone else with a business idea can pitch their proposals Monday in Riverhead to the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council. 

The public forum is the third being held by the council, which is trying to get ideas on how to grow jobs and revenue. By Nov. 14, it must submit a five-year plan on sustainable growth to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who created 10 such councils this summer to boost regional economies.

The forum is set for 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. at the culinary school of Suffolk Community College, 20 E. Main St. in Riverhead. Those interested in attending may contact Denise Zani at nys-longisland@empire.state.ny.us or 631-435-0717.

Kevin Law (shown in photo), a council co-chair and head of the Long Island Association, a business advocacy group, said he was struck by the similar concerns voiced at both the Melville and Hempstead forums. He expects  the Riverhead session will be no different, despite the East End’s more agricultural character: “They talked about the tourism industry, how they need to protect the arts and historical treasures.”

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