New program will stimulate the economy by refunding building and permit fees by 20% for eligible projects

Jumpstart Brookhaven could create 1,600 construction jobs and up to 4,000 permanent jobs in Brookhaven Town

Farmingville, NY – At the October 18 Town Board meeting, the Brookhaven Town Board voted unanimously to set a public hearing for Supervisor Mark Lesko’s Jumpstart Brookhaven program. Jumpstart Brookhaven will refund building and planning fees by 20% for qualifying economic development projects that have been approved by the Town Board if they get shovels in the ground in 2012. It is estimated that Jumpstart Brookhaven can create more than 1,600 construction jobs and between 1,400 and 4,000 permanent jobs in the Town.

“Jumpstart Brookhaven will give the local economy a shot in the arm. This program will encourage the implementation of projects that already have their Town approvals and will result in the creation of thousands of jobs, and in some cases, the elimination of monuments to blight,” said Supervisor Mark Lesko.

Through a robust incentive program, Jumpstart Brookhaven will encourage developers to move quickly on significant projects, some currently proposed for blighted properties, and create jobs in 2012.

In order for a project to qualify for Jumpstart Brookhaven, the project must be a construction of 110,000 square feet or more of commercial or industrial development, or a construction of 50 or more residential homes or units. The building permit for the project must be obtained after January 1st, 2012.

Projects that qualify for Jumpstart Brookhaven will pay their full Building and Planning Department fees upfront. Once the foundation of the development’s primary structure is completed the project will receive a 20% rebate on the building fees they were charged for that building permit. Any further foundations and work completed in 2012 will also be eligible for a rebate. Each residential structure requires a separate building permit. For example, if a Jumpstart Brookhaven project plans 50 residential structures, but completes 40 of those foundations in 2012, the developer will receive a 20% rebate on the building permits for each of those 40 foundations. The 20% of Planning fees will be refunded once the first structure is completed.

In addition to Jumpstart Brookhaven, Supervisor Lesko has introduced several programs since taking office to spur economic growth. Accelerate Long Island, which has become an island-wide effort, connects research conducted at Long Island’s world class institutions with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to create high-tech start-up companies.

The Supervisor’s Blight to Light program provides incentives for the redevelopment of vacant, graffiti-ridden eyesores in Brookhaven communities. The Town partnered with the Industrial Development Agency to create a film that portrays blight as opportunity. The Town has seen some recent successes with Blight to Light, including the demolition of the Plaza Theatre in East Patchogue, a blight in the community since the 1980’s; the redevelopment plan of the abandoned UA Theater in Coram; and the Meadows at Yaphank, a mixed use development proposed by AVR Realty to be constructed on the former Parr Meadows Race Track.

The Town’s Industrial Development Agency (IDA) has also been able to create or retain over 2,100 jobs in Brookhaven since 2009.

The IDA is a public benefit corporation of New York whose charge is to assist in the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, and equipping of commercial and industrial facilities. The Jumpstart Brookhaven is part of Supervisor Lesko’s 2012 Preliminary Budget, “Freezing Taxes…Three Years in a Row.” “Freezing Taxes…Three Years in a Row” and information about Blight to Light can be found on the Town’s website at www.brookhaven.org.

Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6595 • Fax (631) 451-6258