Islip Foreign Trade Zone Eyes Growth

In an effort to get businesses across Islip Town to meet and expand relationships, the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) hosted its quarterly networking event this past Wednesday in Bay Shore.

Entitled Leveraging Your Business Relationships, the event brought together business owners, town elected officials and members of the media as part of the FTZ’s effort expand its profile.

According to information on its website, the Ronkonkoma-based Foreign Trade Zone Authority is focused on job creation and expanding businesses through a variety of cost-saving initiatives that include inverted tariff relief, duty deferral and duty elimination.

During the event at Sumou Japan Restaurant, Astrid Fidelia, executive director for the FTZ Authority, spoke with Patch about the networking event and new initiatives at the FTZ. Also speaking at the event was Phil Nolan, Islip Supervisor, and Yves. R. Michel, commissioner, Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Workforce Housing.