From left to right, Honorees Councilman Mark Cuthbertson and Jim Morgo Board Chairman of Suffolk County IDA and sponsor Howard Landsberg of Weiser LLP

Long Island Business News (LIBN) honored Town of Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone and Councilman Mark Cuthbertson as two of this year's top real estate deal makers for their work in the real estate community.  They were both presented with the LIBN Real Estate Award for the Best Public/Private Partnership at the regional business newspaper's 2007 Real Estate Awards that were held this week.

According to LIBN, their Real Estate Awards recognize the Island's top professionals in the commercial and residential business communities. Honorees are selected by a panel of industry experts and the Editors of Long Island Business News.  Candidates were chosen for their professional accomplishments and "significant contributions… to the region's economy and the communities in which [they] do business."

Supervisor Petrone and Councilman Cuthbertsons' awards for Best Public/Private Partnership, were in recognition of their work in securing Canon USA's commitment to move their North American Headquarters to Melville.  Over the past year, both officials have worked to guarantee the relocation of Canon USA to the Town of Huntington.  This multi-billion dollar deal will be a huge benefit to the Town by attracting the kind of long-term employment that is so vital to the economy of Huntington.  

Partnering together, Supervisor Petrone and Councilman Cuthbertson were instrumental in brokering the deal to bring Canon to the 52-acre former site of the Pumpkin Farm by providing a comprehensive incentive package, including substantial tax incentives and code variances.  Canon says they plan to build a 700,000-square-foot headquarters building and create hundred of high-paying jobs.