Politics & Government

Local Businesses Slowly Bouncing Back on Long Island

Town of North Hempstead notebook: Get ready for free movies in the park.

Small businesses on Long Island continue to slowly bounce back some four years after the recession ended in June 2009.

That’s according to James Brown, regional principal economist with the state’s Department of Labor. Brown addressed nearly 80 North Shore business leaders at a breakfast for small business owners in Port Washington on Friday.

Since 2009, Brown said, Long Island has been adding jobs and seeing sales increase.

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The Island has added 28,500 in the last year, up 2.7 percent according to the latest Labor Department reports. By comparison, New York saw a 1.4 percent private sector growth, while the nation saw 2 percent growth.

Sectors adding jobs include professional and business services; trade, transportation and utility; leisure and hospitality; educational and health services; and construction.

Find out what's happening in Mineolawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Technology has proven to be a boost for the leisure and hospitality sector, Brown said Friday, noting that these businesses were able to better market themselves online. “They were more reactive, and could keep the enterprise going,” he said.

Friday’s breakfast was hosted by the Town of North Hempstead Business & Tourism Development Corporation and held at The Amsterdam at Harborside in Port Washington. 

Movies in the Parks

Summer’s officially here, and in North Hempstead, that means free movies in the parks. So pack some snacks and lawn chairs and bring the kids.

At Sunset Park in Port Washington, the town is partnering with Residents for A More Beautiful Port Washington, to screen these films

“Rocky” Saturday, June 29, 8 p.m., with a special appearance by cast member Burt Young. Rated PG

“Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory,” Saturday, July 13, 8:30 p.m. Rated G.

“Annie,” Saturday, July 27, 8:30 p.m. Rated PG

“Robin And The Seven Hoods,” Saturday, Aug. 17, 8 p.m. Rated PG.

Other films include:

“Monsters Inc,” Sunday, July 28, 7:30 p.m. Rated G. Clinton G Martin Park, 1601 Marcus Ave, New Hyde Park.

“Thunderstruck,” Saturday Aug. 3, 8 p.m. Rated PG. Martin “Bunky” Reid Park, Broadway at Urban Ave., New Cassel

“Wait Until Dark,” Tuesday, Aug. 6, 8 p.m. Suspense/Thriller. Clark Botanic Gardent, 193 I.U. Willets Road, Albertson

“Escape From Planet Earth,” Sunday Aug. 18, 8 p.m. Rated PG. North Hempstead Beach Park, 175 West Shore Road, Port Washington.

For more information, call the Town of North Hempstead at 311. 


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