Why is this important?
In any given year, new business establishments will open their doors and old establishments will close. This “churn” is the result of start-ups, expansions, closures, mergers and businesses moving locations.  The movement of business establishments to and from the region provides some insight into the continued attractiveness of the region for business.

How are we doing?
Increasing of 34 percent over the prior year, 2009 represents the fourth straight year of growth in new establishments on Long Island with 19,200 net new firms.  Newly opened firms make up 98 percent of the 31,200 new establishments founded in 2009. Firm closings also increased, ticking 20 percent from 2008 but were significantly over shadowed by openings.

The percentage of companies moving into the Long Island region from outside New York State has increased from 13 percent in 1995-96 to 32 percent in 2008-09 of all incoming establishments. In terms of firms leaving Long Island, the destination tends to be more outside the state than in earlier periods. However, for larger firms, movement tends to remain within the state.