Long Island’s economy has always been shaped by the industries of its time. In colonial days, the region’s vast shorelines fueled a thriving fishing trade, while fertile inland soil supported farming communities. Agriculture expanded in the Gilded Age, when the Long Island Rail Road extended deep into Nassau and Suffolk, opening access to New York City markets and beyond.
World War II marked a dramatic shift, as aviation and defense manufacturing became Long Island’s economic engine. Companies like Grumman and Republic Aviation turned the region into a hub for building planes and military systems. After the war, suburban growth surged, transforming farmland into neighborhoods and making Long Island one of the nation’s most prominent “bedroom communities” for New York City workers.
The end of the Cold War brought another turning point. As defense contracts waned, Long Island diversified, embracing new sectors—from technology to higher education to health care. Today, the health care and research industries, alongside tourism, stand as the region’s largest employers and economic drivers.
As our economic base changes, so does the focus of the heavy construction industry. The projects that once centered on industrial plants and transportation infrastructure increasingly support the needs of advanced medical centers, research facilities, and the surrounding communities they serve. For contractors, that means adapting business models, upgrading capabilities, and embracing new technologies to meet the demands of health-care-related construction.
One new initiative that reflects this shift is the Long Island Facilities Owners Network (LIFON), which recently convened its inaugural meeting. This collaborative group brings together owners and managers of diverse facilities—including hospitals, research institutions, municipalities, residential and commercial developments, and energy plants. Its board of directors includes key leaders from LICA member firms: Robert Brewer of Grassi, Jim Flannery of National Grid, Jim Kennedy of Haugland, Erik Ortmann of Kaufman Dolowich, and Paul Tonna of Praxis. Their mission is to share insights, develop best practices, and guide the transformation of Long Island’s built environment in an era of rapid change.
Some of the most significant construction projects underway today are on the campuses of our largest health care providers. Northwell Health, Catholic Health, and NYU Langone Health rank among the top private employers in the region, collectively investing hundreds of millions in facility expansions, modernizations, and infrastructure improvements. LICA member firms are deeply engaged in these efforts—performing the site work, utility upgrades, and redevelopment that make new wings, parking facilities, and improved access possible.
This edition of Long Island Road Warriors shines a spotlight on one such effort: the leadership of Christine Flaherty, who is helping Catholic Health build a stronger future. From the expansion of Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip to system-wide enhancements, her work reflects the partnership between health care and heavy construction that is shaping Long Island’s next chapter.
As the region’s needs evolve, our industry remains at the foundation—quite literally—of Long Island’s growth. By working alongside health care leaders, we are not only building facilities; we are building the infrastructure for healthier, more vibrant communities.