They’re rolling out the red carpet for businesses ditching the red apple.
Suffolk County’s top elected official crowned Mayor Zohran Mamdani “Realtor of the Year” as his administration launches an ad blitz to woo businesses fleeing New York City.
County Executive Ed Romaine said the new digital ad campaign will target job creators who are increasingly viewing the Big Apple as a hostile place to do business under the fledgling democratic socialist mayor.
“Mamdani deserves the ‘Realtor of the Year’ award because he’s doing more to promote businesses moving to Suffolk County than anyone I’ve ever seen in my entire career,” the executive joked. “We’re making up the plaque as we speak.”
Businesses should consider Long Island before heading for Florida and Texas, he said.
“I’m watching people leave the city in droves. I’m watching business people say, ‘Where do we go?’” the Republican told The Post.
“I haven’t said any nasty things about the mayor. I truly like to work with people, but this does not seem like a guy who wants to consider the facts.”
The ad campaign, called “Suffolk County is open for business” comes with punchy slogans such as “trade the headlines for the shorelines,” “make the move, meet your potential” and “where community meets opportunity.”
The ads show vivid pictures of the gorgeous Smith Point beach juxtaposed with a recent Post article warning of a business “exodus” from the city.
“If you’re going to leave the city, don’t plan on a huge move. How about coming east? We’ll help you find a place. We’ll help move you in,” Romaine said.
“Opportunities create wealth, and wealth creates communities where people can enjoy a good life. It’s that simple.”
Each graphic has a QR code that directs viewers to “resources” on how to effectively set up shop ASAP — and pledges that “big dreams don’t need big city taxes.”
“We’ll give you tax breaks,” Romaine said of the county, which is set to host the US Open at Southampton’s Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in June.
Romaine slammed Mamdani, who ran on a blanket “tax the rich” campaign, for “driving people out of his city.”
A video on hiking taxes on the wealthy filmed outside billionaire Citadel CEO’s Ken Giffin’s apartment sparked ire from the business bigwig, who said he relocated investment and jobs out of the city as a result.
Other business leaders have said the confrontational stance, a continuing crusade to hike taxes and policies like a rent freeze on rent-controlled apartments in the five boroughs have made for a hostile environment for businesses.
“Between the governor and the mayor, New York State has lost more population than the other 49 states,” Romaine said.
“That has to be disturbing.
“If we do well, if the city does well, and vice versa … I would rather work to improve the region as a whole, but I don’t have a willing partner.”
Romaine boasted that his county has the nation’s second-largest industrial park in Hauppauge, which is a little more than 2 square miles — and about 40 other locations ready to take in any eager newcomers.
There’s already plenty of interest mere months into year one of Hizzoner’s reign, Romaine claimed.
The cost of the ad campaign wasn’t immediately available.
The county has not set a timeframe for how long it will run.
