The role of Republic Airport as an economic engine in the bi-county region was strengthened today as ground was broken on two premier hotels worth $32 million that will be built at Republic along Route 110 by Long Island Hotels, LLC, and with the support of Babylon Town Supervisor Steve Bellone, the Babylon Town Board and the Babylon Town Industrial Development Agency.

The hotels, Courtyard by Marriott and Towne Place Suites, are a key element in the town's strategic economic development and revitalization plans for the Route 110 corridor. With construction now underway, the hotels are expected to open before the end of next year on property owned by the State of New York's Department of Transportation and an integral part of the Republic Airport complex.

In addition to Supervisor Bellone, participants in the ground breaking ceremony included New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Regional Director Subi Chakraborti, Republic Airport Commission Chairman Frank Nocerino, Airport Director Michael Geiger, Executive Director of the Babylon IDA, Bob Stricoff along with Councilman Wayne Horsley, chairman of the Town's Economic Development Committee and the owners of Long Island Hotels, LLC, John Tsunis and John Danzi.

Republic is the third busiest airport in the State of New York, housing approximately 500 aircraft within its 526 acres and accommodates 170,000 operations annually. It has also participated in special operations that have ranged from supporting the arrival of Air Force One, to assisting Homeland Security forces and basing the Navy's Blue Angels precision air team. Regional Director Chakraborti stated, "Republic continues to serve its strategic role as a transportation center for the region and today's ground breaking contributes to that role while dramatically strengthening the local economy with this multimillion dollar investment. Supervisor Bellone should be congratulated for forging the public-private partnership that is making this happen".

The building of these first class hotels in the Town of Babylon has been a top priority for Supervisor Steve Bellone and Councilman Wayne Horsley, chairman of the Town's Economic Development Committee. "This project is expected to create additional employment and lure thousands of tourists, travelers and business people to the Town of Babylon," said Supervisor Bellone. These hotels will serve as the anchor for further economic development along the Route 110 Business Corridor. Supervisor Bellone and Councilman Wayne Horsley have worked closely with Rt. 110 Redevelopment Corporation, SUNY Farmingdale, the Long Island Business Development Corporation and local civic leaders to highlight attractions and infrastructure of the Route 110 Business Corridor in an effort to attract bio-tech, high tech and high-end manufacturers to the area."

Councilman Wayne Horsley said, "These hotels will serve a two-fold purpose; serving local families with a place to accommodate family and friends that is nearby and also allow businesses to see the hotels as an attractive commodity for those looking to locate on the envisioned Route 110 tech corridor."

The construction of the two hotels will also provide new tax revenue for the town. Over a 15 year period the additional tax revenue received will be in excess of $13.9 million dollars. This additional tax revenue will equate into $8.4 million for school taxes, $680,000 for the fire department and $340,000 for libraries.

Bill McShane, co-director of the Long Island Business Aviation Association, stated, "This construction is the type of synergistic development that points to the strength of an airport and its ability to be a magnet for investment, new job creation and corporate confidence in land use policies. Corporate fliers, aviation companies and visitors to the airport's museum will all see these hotels as proof positive that Republic is a smart destination and that can only mean Babylon Town's Route 110 corridor will gain economic strength as we move forward. The Town, Supervisor Bellone and Councilman Horsley and the IDA should be commended."