Remember when Long Island was home to high paying jobs?

Unfortunately, that is in our past. Today, the jobs that we’re adding tend to be lower-wage, with our highest paying industries showing job losses. It’s no surprise, then, that on average, Long Island salaries dropped almost $1,300 in the past 10 years.

True, the nation as a whole is suffering a deep and protracted recession. But Long Island’s economic woes started before the rest of the country’s. The high-paying jobs found in technology, the bio-sciences, aeronautics and the like, are no longer coming here. Why? When start-ups or companies located elsewhere consider whether or not to come to Long Island, they not only weigh factors such as workforce skills and education, tax incentives, and available commercial/industrial properties, but also whether the region would be an appealing and affordable place to live for their employees. Long Island offers incredible recreational opportunities, many excellent school districts, and close proximity to New York City, but we lack something that is essential to attracting employees: affordable housing. This is particularly problematic for businesses interested in hiring young workers, who may not have the savings, income, or desire to buy a big house with a lawn.