Long Island, NY – After reports that a manufacturer of hearing aids is looking to relocate their offices to Suffolk County, New Jersey or Pennsylvania, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today urged the President and CEO of Widex USA to keep their corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility in New York. While Senator Gillibrand encourages the company to remain at its current locations in Nassau and Queens, she pointed out that Suffolk County is a strong choice for merging its operations into a single site if Widex ultimately chooses to move. This nearby location would allow Widex to benefit from Suffolk County’s tax breaks and keep their current employees, many of whom live in New York City. The company plans to make their decision by the end of December.
Senator Gillibrand wrote in a letter to Jake Haycock, President and CEO of Widex USA, “I strongly urge you to keep your business in New York. As you know, neighboring Suffolk County is a strong option that would provide you with a single site for your headquarters, manufacturing site and training facility. Such a move would allow keeping many of your current employees, while maintaining close proximity to current clientele… Both Nassau and Suffolk counties are willing and able to work with your company to retain all available incentives and benefits associated with doing business on Long Island. They are eager to keep your company and the employees you have retained within the region, in addition to helping you gain future success.”
Widex, which has 200 employees, makes hearing aids for adults and children. Currently, Widex has two offices in Nassau’s Garden City Park and two plants in Queens. In November, Suffolk County’s industrial development agency offered Widex over $1 million in tax breaks to move to a Hauppauge facility.
Full text of Senator Gillibrand’s letter is below:
Dear Mr. Haycock
I am writing in response to recent reports suggesting your interest in relocating your corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility, currently on Long Island. While I encourage you to remain in your current Nassau and Queens locations, should you decide to relocate, I strongly urge you to keep your business in New York. As you know, neighboring Suffolk County is a strong option that would provide you with a single site for your headquarters, manufacturing site and training facility. Such a move would allow keeping many of your current employees, while maintaining close proximity to current clientele.
Some of America’s largest and most successful corporations are located on Long Island. The region has championed a strong business environment that nurtures growth and productivity through its talented workforce. Both Nassau and Suffolk counties are willing and able to work with your company to retain all available incentives and benefits associated with doing business on Long Island. They are eager to keep your company and the employees you have retained within the region, in addition to helping you gain future success. I encourage you to continue communications with both counties to ensure that all is done to keep Widex USA in New York.
Again, should you decide to not stay at your facilities in Nassau and Queens, I respectfully urge you to give full consideration to all of your options in New York. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Kristen Walsh in my Long Island office at (631) 249-2825 should you require any assistance. I look forward to a continued relationship with your company as it works to strengthen New York’s economy.