Suffolk County’s Department of Economic Development and Planning supports business growth, job creation, and long-term planning across the county. Its office is in Hauppauge, and it acts as a gateway to county, state, and federal business programs.
The department provides help to small, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses, serves as an advocate and ombudsman for Suffolk businesses dealing with government, and helps companies find state, federal, and private funding. It also supports agriculture and fishing businesses, provides international trade information, and manages Foreign Trade Zone #52, which can lower costs for businesses that import materials or products. Its Small Business Resource Guide pulls together programs from every level of government.
The department is a good fit for Suffolk businesses that need help navigating government programs, farms and fisheries, and companies involved in importing or international trade.
Much of its work is pointing businesses to the right program or agency rather than providing funding directly. For in-depth business advising, it typically refers owners to the SBDC or SCORE.
For Suffolk business owners who aren’t sure where to start with county or state programs, this department can help sort out which ones apply.