With low unemployment, employers are finding it very difficult to attract new employees and satisfy employees currently on the Island. It is easy for employees to move from job to job. While the LIPA deal has meant lower electric rates, Long Island still ranks extremely high when compared to the rest of the nation. And housing costs are going out of sight for first time home buyers. Rental units for families starting out are almost non-existent.

The demand for talent remains extremely high, particularly in the service-administrative area. Based on a survey conducted by Jericho-based Fidelity Employment Group, there is a significant imbalance in the availability and demand for skilled labor on Long Island. In fact, the "repeat rate" for the same job being advertised a number of times is at an all-time high. Applicants are hard to come by. Accountants and other financial related positions have shown the greatest increase in the Island's service-administrative arena.

The challenge this presents to Long Island is that when a company cannot justify its need for employees on the Island, it will go elsewhere. This factor, coupled with high local taxes, electric rates and home prices, makes the south and west more and more attractive to Long Island employers.

Frank Bartl, vice president of Fidelity Employment Group, Inc., concludes, "I think we've reached a critical juncture where the extremely tight labor market has now become a serious limiting factor in the region's ability to continue to grow and prosper." Those are serious words and have to be considered by every government official on the Island. Democrats, now in charge of the Nassau County Legislature, have to reflect on the tight labor market as they take steps to correct Nassau County's fiscal mess. The last thing we need is increased business taxes with a resultant job flight from the Island.

As for attracting new employees, the key is decent affordable housing. Young people are pressed to stay here. We certainly have the beaches, job opportunities, golf courses and other recreational facilities. But, Long Island cannot compete nationally in the price of an affordable place to live.

Coming to grips with that issue, the Long Island Association and the Long Island Housing Partnership have joined in an outreach program to develop an employer assisted housing effort. The program will provide substantial assistance to employees in the purchase of homes in exchange for the employee committing to remain with the employer for an agreed time period. As an employer, if you would like additional information about this program, you can call the Long Island Association at 499-4400 or the Long Island Housing Partnership at 435-4710. One call could very well help you attract and keep key employees.