One Hurdle Down For Heartland Project

 One major hurdle for the Heartland Project was eliminated yesterday when Islip Town Board voted to reverse the required state-approved apprenticeship programs on all large-scale construction jobs in town.  Meaning that construction projects are not forced to use union labor, so this will limit the cost of construction.  This was a major sticking point with Heartland Project.  David Wolkoff was quoted in Newsday:

 David Wolkoff, son of developer Gerry Wolkoff, whose Heartland Town Square project has languished while he has sparred with trade unions over deals to work the site, said at the hearing that his company had delayed two 150,000-square-foot projects because of the proposed law.

The Wolkoffs, along with small-business owners, argued the law would increase their labor costs and drive development from town.

It seems like at least one of the possible options for the Islanders is gaining traction with this news and the reward of state money last week.

Additional Reading:
http://mobile.newsday.com/inf/infomo;JSESSIONID=BC06B6A297FCB37C9D33.3193?site=newsday&view=politics_item&feed:a=newsday_1min&feed:c=politics&feed:i=1.3387423&part=0