About Us
Organizing Long Island
Since 1982.
Action Long Island builds the relationships between business and government that raise and resolve the issues shaping industry and the quality of life across our region.
We’re a nonpartisan nonprofit — a platform for community initiatives, networking, and public forums, built for the people who move Long Island forward.
“If you live on Long Island and drive on the parkways or turn on a light switch, Action Long Island has affected your life.“
— Shelly Sackstein, Chairman of the Board
Our Mission
A Spirit of Unity.
Business, labor, civic organizations, and government working as one. That unity is essential for all of us to live, work, and prosper on this small patch of sand we call home.
We’ve come through challenging economic times, and for many the struggle continues. With hundreds of dedicated volunteer members serving on issue-oriented Task Forces, we keep identifying and addressing the challenges to Long Island’s future.
Our Roots
It Started at Republic Airport.
In the early 1980s, a small group of aircraft owners, business people, and aviation companies came together as “Republic Airport Action” with one goal: keep Republic Airport from closing. They won — and the model plan they wrote was later adopted nationally by the F.A.A.
Rather than disband, they took on the next challenge, and the next — widening Route 110, winning interstate designation and federal funding for the Long Island Expressway, and securing funding for Brookhaven’s Heavy Ion Project. As the issues grew Island-wide, so did the name: Route 110 Republic Airport Action, then 110 Action, and finally Action Long Island.
How We Work
We Identify Issues. We Organize Action.
Real progress follows a simple discipline — surface the problem, get the right people in the room, then put a team on it.
1 — Identify the Issue
We surface the challenges holding Long Island back — infrastructure, energy, housing, jobs, and the environment.
2 — Convene & Meet
We bring business, labor, civic, and government leaders to the same table to find common ground.
3 — Form a Task Force
We assign a dedicated Task Force to turn shared priorities into measurable action.
Our Track Record
Did You Know We Did That?
When Albany weighs funding for our infrastructure, we’re there. When investment is on the table for Long Island’s institutions, we’re there. A few examples:
- A model plan that kept Republic Airport open — later adopted nationally by the F.A.A. More on Republic Airport →
- Secured funding for the Heavy Ion Project that kept Brookhaven National Laboratory operational. More on Brookhaven’s collider →
- Widened Route 110, opened the HOV lane during off-peak hours, and pushed to reopen the LIRR station at Republic Airport.
- Founded the Long Island Energy Cooperative to lower energy costs for local businesses.
- Convened the Long Island Economic Initiative — 38 organizations united to meet the region’s economic challenges head-on.
- Helped drive passage of the 1988 NYS Transportation Bond Issue as a leading Long Island supporter.
- Launched the first recycling forum for the business community across Babylon, Huntington, Islip, and Smithtown.
- Established the first daycare program on the Route 110 corridor.
Our Leadership
Led by Long Islanders, for Long Island.
Action Long Island is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors and hundreds of member-volunteers serving on our Task Forces. Full leadership profiles are coming soon.
So, What’s Important to You?
You and your organization can play a vital role in finding the solutions. Join us.