Long Island can be a driving force of science and innovation in the world’s greatest metro area. It once was; it can be again.
We need to reclaim that legacy, which made Long Island a world leader in aviation for most of the 20th century. We should take advantage of our research, medical and educational institutions to promote a culture of science and innovation that distinguishes Long Island from the region while tying us more closely to it.
That culture should build upon our centers of excellence, including Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the North Shore-LIJ Health System, and the medical schools at Stony Brook and Hofstra universities. It should embrace scientific research, foster start-ups and incubate new businesses.