Commack, Long Island, NY—October 19, 2001— The Long Island Association, the region's largest business organization, in conjunction with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), has announced the release of its annual business reference book, a comprehensive, 53-page guide to business activity on Long Island.

"In recent years, the Long Island Association has become the economic planning agency for Long Island," according to Pearl Kamer, LIA's chief economist and author of the new fact book. "In order to fulfill that role, we must have accurate, timely and detailed information about the structure of the Long Island economy and we must be able to disseminate that information. The LIPA Annual Business Fact Book will enable us to do so."

The new fact book contains information relevant to businesses and households currently on Long Island, as well as those looking to relocate to the area. It offers an analysis of the role that the health care, technology, tourism, non-for-profit, real estate, consumer and export sectors play in the Long Island economy and incorporates data from the most recent business census.

"The data compiled in our Annual Fact Book is a valuable tool for companies who work, or want to do work, on Long Island," said Matthew T. Crosson, LIA president. "It enables us to more easily plan for future challenges and directions we may take."

"The new Fact Book reflects the depth and complexity of business on Long Island," said LIPA Chairman Richard M. Kessel. "LIPA is proud to play a role in this very important publication."

The LIPA Annual Business Fact Book focuses on:

• The U.S. Economy at a Glance: Business Indicators;
• New York State Business Indicators;
• Regional Business Indicators, Nassau-Suffolk/New York City;
• Business Indicators: Nassau and Suffolk Counties
• The new Census data
   

The LIPA Annual Business Fact Book isn’t only just for business, the Fact Book is also an authoritative resource for educators, students or anyone else who wants a better understanding of the fundamental nature of Long Island’s business community.

The book is available at public and school libraries throughout Nassau and Suffolk. To obtain a free copy, contact the Long Island Association at 631-493-3004 or LIPA at 516-719-9867 or via email, lipacustomerservice@liaccount.com

LIPA owns the retail electric system on Long Island, and provides electric service to nearly 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties, and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. LIPA does not provide natural gas service. More information about LIPA can be obtained by visiting www.lipower.org.